Fish Identification Photos: California Corbina, Menticirrhus undulatus: The California Corbina is characterized by its elongated, slightly compressed body that is gray with incandescent reflections. The California Corbina has a long head, a small mouth with an identifying single barbell, a characteristic wavy diagonal line on its sides, and large scales.

The California Corbina has only one, weak anal spine, and its pectoral fins are black. The other fins vary in color from pale to dark. The caudal fin is S-shaped. The California Corbina might be confused with a series of other croakers, including the Highfin King Croaker, the King Croaker, the Paita King Croaker, and the Panama King Croaker, all of which are of the Genus Menticirrhus and found in Mexican waters, and the Yellowfin Croaker, Umbrina roncador.

However, only the Yellowfin Croaker (concave caudal fin, yellow fins, and oblique brown lines on its sides) also has a barbell.

The California Corbina is a member of the Sciaenidae or Croaker and Drum Family that are accessible and can be caught out of the surf. In Mexican waters, the California Corbina is found all along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, and throughout the Sea of Cortez.

However, it is absent south of Acapulco on the mainland coast. The California Corbina is found in the first 50 feet of the water column, normally in shallow coastal waters over sandy or mud bottoms. It is reported to reach 28 inches in length and 8.5 pounds.

The California Corbina is a targeted game species of Southern California surf fishermen. Its primary food is sand crabs, and it is caught on bottom rigs baited with soft shelled sand crabs. It is viewed by locals to be excellent table fare.

California Corbina, Menticirrhus undulatus: Caught from the municipal pier at Oceanside, California, May 2006 in 60-degree water, on cut mussels, utilizing a size 4 hook and 2-ounce sinker. Size approximatelyh 14 inches and 4 pounds. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow. California Corbina, Menticirrhus undulatus: Donated to MexFish by the commercial pangueros of Todos Santos, March 2008. Size: 12 inches. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow. California Corbina, Menticirrhus undulatus: Photo courtesy Dean Mitchell. California Corbina, Menticirrhus undulatus: Length 23 inches, caught from the beach at San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, on shrimp bait, 12-pound line, May 1994. Description and photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.