Menticirrhus littoralis
Gulf Whiting, Gulf King Croaker
The gulf kingfish is a long and slender fish with a large head and single chin barbel. The kingfish is silvery-gray on top fading to a light silver or white underneath with a tail fin that is tipped in black.
As carnivores and primarily bottom feeders, gulf kingfish eat crustaceans, worms, clams and other shellfish.
Although this species roams primarily throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Kingfish also can be found along the western Atlantic Ocean coastline as far north as the Chesapeake Bay.
Gulf kingfish live in small schools in the surf. They will also inhabit other coastal waters over muddy and sandy bottoms such as channels, inlets, passes and sandbars.
This fish can get up to 18 inches in length and 3 pounds in size but most are smaller.
3 pounds, 0 ounces (IGFA)