Croaker

(Micropogonias undulatus)

The croaker or “hardhead is a species that most fishermen associate with the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay.  However, on occasion, our seventh grade students have captured small croaker in their seine nets during our fish surveys.  The name “croaker” comes from the odd croaking sound that is emitted when the fish are handled.  All members of the drum family of fishes have an air filled sac which is quickly vibrated to create this odd noise.

Croaker are delicious fish to eat and are a favorite catch of Bay fishermen.  Croakers will feed upon any small Bay animal that they can catch, but different types of worms and invertebrates make up most of their diet.