The spot croaker, scientifically known as Leiostomus xanthurus, belongs to the family Sciaenidae. It was first described by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède in 1802, with its type locality given as Carolina. The genus Leiostomus, derived from the Greek words "leios" (smooth) and "stoma" (mouth), refers to the fish's toothless lower jaw. The specific name "xanthurus" is a misnomer, meaning "yellow tail," although the tail of the spot croaker is not actually yellow.
The spot croaker is a relatively deep-bodied and compressed fish with a distinctive humped back. Its mouth is almost horizontal and is equipped with bands of small teeth. While there is no barbel on the chin, the fish has a series of pores on the chin and snout. The dorsal fin is deeply incised, with the front part containing spines and the rear part consisting of soft rays. The anal fin possesses two spines and several soft rays. The caudal fin is generally truncate. The body coloration of the spot croaker is bluish-gray on the upper body, transitioning to yellow or golden on the lower body. Younger fish exhibit diagonal dark bars on their flanks, which fade as they mature. Additionally, there is a prominent black spot above the upper margin of the operculum.
The spot croaker can be found in estuary and coastal waters spanning from Massachusetts to Texas along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It typically inhabits depths of up to 6 meters, although it can occasionally be found at depths of up to 50 meters. The species thrives in salt waters, particularly brackish environments, and prefers sandy and muddy seabeds. During the spawning season, the spot croaker migrates from estuaries and bays to deeper offshore waters. As the seasons change, it moves to areas with higher salinity and eventually ventures offshore as the water cools.
Being an omnivorous species, the spot croaker has a varied diet. It primarily feeds on benthic invertebrates, small crustaceans, and both plant and animal detritus. Its menu includes polychaetes, worms, small fish, small plankton, and mollusks. This adaptable feeding behavior allows the spot croaker to exploit a wide range of food sources within its habitat.
The spot croaker holds significant importance for both recreational and commercial fishing. In the Southern Atlantic sector of US waters, a total of 322 metric tons (355 short tons) of spot were landed in 2021. Recreational fishermen accounted for 71% of the total landings, while commercial fisheries contributed the remaining 29%. Virginia alone recorded 64% of the commercial landings, highlighting the state's reliance on the spot croaker fishery.
The spot croaker follows a reproductive pattern characterized by spawning during the fall to early winter. It migrates from its typical bay and estuary habitats to offshore areas with deeper water, where it releases up to 1.7 million eggs. These eggs undergo external fertilization and are subsequently carried back toward shore. In the warmer offshore waters, the larvae quickly grow and subsequently move into coastal shallows and bays to spend the winter.
To ensure the sustainability of spot croaker populations, various management measures have been implemented. The Chesapeake Bay Atlantic Croaker and Spot Fishery Management Plan of 1991 provides protection and monitoring for spot croakers. Additionally, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's fishery management plan, established in 1987, aims to reduce the bycatch of juvenile spot croakers in shrimp trawling operations. Furthermore, ongoing aquaculture projects, such as the one in New Jersey, are exploring the potential for commercial production of spot croakers.
Each year, the North Carolina Spot Festival takes place in Hampstead, North Carolina, during the last weekend of September. This vibrant festival celebrates the cultural and culinary significance of the spot croaker, showcasing various activities, entertainment, and delicious seafood.