When your family is out on a Chesapeake Bay charter near Annapolis or the South River in summer, you might hear something surprising – fish that sound like tiny frogs or crickets! These underwater musicians are Atlantic croakers, and they’re some of the Bay’s most interesting summer visitors. Their name comes from the croaking sound males make by vibrating special muscles against their swim bladder, like strumming the world’s smallest guitar.
Croaker – Chesapeake Bay, MD
Atlantic croakers are beautiful fish with deep bronze-colored backs, silvery sides, and distinctive barbels (whiskers) under their chin that help them feel for food along the bottom. They have large, dark spots arranged in wavy lines along their sides, and their fins are tinged with yellow and brown. But what makes them truly special is their ability to make sounds – not just one or two, but a whole chorus of croaks, purrs, and drumming noises! They arrive in the Bay when waters warm up in spring. Adults can grow to about 20 inches long, though most are smaller. They use those sensitive barbels to search the bottom for tasty treats like worms, small crabs, shrimp, and clams. Their bottom-feeding habits help keep the Bay’s floor clean and healthy, while their croaking sounds add to the Bay’s underwater symphony.
Life in the Chesapeake Orchestra
In late spring and summer, male croakers begin their concerts. They make sounds to attract mates and communicate with other croakers. If you’re lucky enough to catch one (or better yet, hear them from underwater recording equipment), you’ll understand exactly why they got their name! The croaking sound is especially strong during spawning season when males are trying to impress females.
Young croakers spend their first year in the Bay’s protected waters, hiding in seagrass beds and shallow areas where they’re safer from bigger fish. These youngsters don’t start croaking until they’re older – like teenagers finding their voice! As they grow, they learn to use their barbels to find food and their special sonic muscles to join the Bay’s underwater chorus.
Stars of the Bay’s Show
These fascinating fish play multiple roles in the Bay’s ecosystem. They’re important predators of bottom-dwelling creatures, helping to keep populations in balance. At the same time, they’re food for larger fish, birds, and even dolphins. Their presence or absence can tell scientists a lot about the Bay’s health, especially the condition of bottom habitats and oxygen levels in deeper waters. They are great fun for the family fishing charter to catch!
Watching (and listening) for croakers can be one of the most interesting parts of a Bay trip. Look for them in deeper channels and near the Bay’s bottom, especially during morning and evening hours. While you probably won’t hear their croaking above water, you might see them caught by other anglers – and if you’re lucky, you might even get to hear their famous croak before they’re released!
Remember, Atlantic croakers are amazing examples of how nature can surprise us. Who would expect a fish to make sounds like a frog? They remind us that the Chesapeake Bay is full of wonders, some of which you can hear as well as see. They’re also a testament to the importance of protecting our Bay’s bottom habitats, where these musical fish feed and live.
Whether you catch one yourself or just learn about their remarkable sound-making abilities, croakers add their own special note to the symphony of life in the Chesapeake Bay. Next time you’re out on the water, remember that beneath the waves, there’s a whole chorus of croakers singing their songs in the Bay’s deep waters.