WHAT IS A CROAKER?
The Atlantic croaker, also known as whiting or corvina (a different fish) is a ray-finned fish famous for the sound they make when they vibrate their swim bladders (gas filled organs that help fish to control their buoyancy) during mating. Growing up to 2 feet in length, they have a silver coloration and little barbels on their chin similar to a catfish. Bottom feeders as well, their preferred diet consists of worms, crustaceans and smaller fish. An inexpensive protein, they’re a popular skinless filet for frying and poaching. Their medium-body flavor is somewhat similar to sea bass.
WHERE DO CROAKERS COME FROM?
Croakers are part of a family of several hundred fresh and salt water creatures called “drum fish.” It is thought that they migrated from South America using river systems to the northern hemisphere during the Miocene era (23 million years ago).
WHEN IS A CROAKER IN SEASON?
From August to October in the northern hemisphere they spawn, turning a golden color in the process. This has led to some confusion about the fish in terms of silver versus golden croakers actually being the same fish. This fish is also a popular choice as live bait since they stay on the hook well and aren’t preferred by other bottom feeders.
ARE CROAKERS HIGH IN MERCURY?
As a bottom feeder lower on the feedchain, they are not. However a recent discovery that they contain a zinc transporter called Zip9 (see below) does raise other concerns.
DOES EATING CROAKER POSSIBLY LEAD TO HIGHER RATES OF CANCER?
The ovaries of this fish contain a transporter protein receptor called Zip9 that regulates zinc homeostasis. This process still isn’t well understood. In some cases this protein inhibits cancer cells, and in others it stimulates their activity. So the answer is no one is sure yet but research is ongoing.