Saltwater species guide

Southern kingfish

Menticirrhus americanus

Identification

Gray-brown above, silver below, with faint diagonal dark markings and a single chin barbel. Gulf kingfish has a dark tail tip and is a different species.

Habitat & biology

Uses shallow coastal sand and muddy-sand bottoms, surf zones, bays and estuaries. Eats small fish and invertebrates.

FWC identification & biology ↗

Bay references & eating guidance

These waters have documented catches. That does not make each one a regular target fishery.

Galveston Bay