Fish Identification Photos: White Seabass, White Weakfish, King Croaker, Atractoscion nobilis: The White Seabass is characterized by its elongated body, large mouth, and a ridge along the length of its belly. It is metallic blue to copper on its back, with dark specs on its sides, and silver on its belly. The White Seabass has a long dorsal fin base. The caudal fin is slightly concave. It has small rough scales and a black blotch on the inner base of its pectoral fins.

The White Seabass might be confused with a series of other Croakers including the Gulf Weakfish, Cynoscion othonopterum (silver blue above with dark spots on sides, scaly fins, mouth ends before rear of eye), the Shortfin Weakfish, Cynoscion parvipinnis (silver-blue-grey appearance, short pectoral fins, two well separated dorsal fins, orange inside of mouth), and the Totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi (sharp snout, projecting lower jaw, large mouth, pointed caudal fin, silver and dark fins, no ridge under belly).

The White Seabass is one of the largest of the Sciaenidae or Croaker or Drum Family.

In Mexican waters, the White Seabass is found all along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, and throughout the Sea of Cortez. However, the White Seabass is absent south of Acapulco along the mainland coast.

It is found in depths greater than 100 feet and up to 400 feet in rocky structure. The world record, as of 2004, for the White Seabass was caught in Mexican waters at 83 pounds 12 ounces, with the fish measuring over 5 feet.

This species is a targeted game fish species of the Southern California small boat fisherman. Its primary food is small fishes (anchovies, pacific mackerel and sardines) and squid.

The White Seabass is normally caught on live bait. It is viewed by locals as excellent table fare.

White Seabass, Atractoscion nobilis: Photo courtesy Richard Herrmann. White Seabass, Atractoscion nobilis: Caught by Larry Miller, Point Loma kelp beds, San Diego, Calif., October 2003. Photo courtesy Larry Miller. White Seabass, Atractoscion nobilis: Photo courtesy San Quintin Sportfishing. White Seabass, Atractoscion nobilis: Photo courtesy Trout Traubman.