Description: dark gray or
green above, with sky blue tinges shading to silvery and white below;
numerous distinct round black spots on back, extending to the dorsal fins
and tail; black margin on posterior of tail; no barbels; no scales on the
soft dorsal fin; one or two prominent canine teeth usually present at tip
of upper jaw.
Similar Fish: other
seatrouts.
Where found: INSHORE
and/or NEARSHORE over grass, sand and sandy bottoms; move into slow-moving
or still, deep waters in cold weather.
Size: common to 4 pounds
on west coast, larger on east coast.
*Florida Record: 17 lbs.,
7 ozs.
Remarks: matures during
first or second year and spawns INSHORE from March through November; often
in association with seagrass beds; lives mainly in estuaries and moves
only short distances; adults feed mainly on shrimp and small fish; prefers
water temperatures between 58 and 81 degrees F and may be killed if
trapped in shallow water during cold weather; longevity 8 to 10 years.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's
printed publication, Fishing
Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are
provided as only as a benchmark.
