COMMON MARINE FISHES 



71 





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BLACK CROAKER 

 Cheiloirema saturnum 



Relationship: A member of the croaker family, Sciaenidae, which also includes 

 the yellowtin croaker, spotfin croaker, corbina, queeufish, kingfish, white sea bass, and 

 many other species found elsewhere in the world. 



Distinguishing Characters: The tip of the snout projecting beyond the tip of the 

 lower jaw ; the two dorsal fins which are connected, but have a deep notch between 

 them ; the lack of a barbel on the lower jaw ; the spiny dorsal with less than 12 spines 

 (9 or 10 as a rule) ; the pectoral fin being shorter than the head ; the jet black edge of 

 the opercle (separating it from our other croakers) ; the two stout spines at the front 

 of the anal fin ; the lack of vomerine teeth. Length to about 15 inches. Color: Bluish 

 or dusky to blackish with coppery reflections above ; silvery below dusted with dark 

 specks ; a vague pale band usually runs across the body from the front of the second 

 dorsal to the ventral fins ; fins dusky ; edge of opercle black. 



Distribution: Point Conception south along the Mexican coast and into the Gulf 

 of California ; rather rare. Commercial rockfish fishermen report that they catch them 

 fairly often on set lines in moderately deep water. 



Fishing Season: Taken irregularly by sport fishermen. 



Importance: Illegal to buy or sell since 1933. Rarely taken by sportsmen though 

 it is a good table fish. 



Fishing Gear: Hook and line, chiefly from piers and in bays and sloughs. 



Unauthorized Names: Chinese croaker, surf fish, black perch, blue bass, black 



