Physical 

Kingfish are brown to dark brown with horizontal stripes. They reach an approximate average size of 10-14 inches at maturity. Some can grow up to 18 inches and weigh up to 3 pounds.

Habitat

M. saxatilis live in shallow coastal waters from Maine to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. They prefer areas with hard or sandy bottoms.

Feeding 

Compared to other fish related to the Northern Kingfish, the smaller eyes, barbel, inferior mouth, and body shape indicate that it feeds primarily by using their senses of smell and touch.  They are bottom feeders that eat shrimp, small mollusks, worms, young fish, crabs and other crustaceans.