Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). Red drum. [Sciaenops ocellatus]
The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is an estuarine dependent species. It spends its entire life in estuaries or nearshore coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Red drum spawn from mid-August to November; peak spawning is from mid-September through October. Larvae and juveniles remain in estuaries and adults live along the coast and in passes. Commercial landings in Louisiana (1971-81) ranged from 723,700 to 2,212,500 lb. Texas closed commercial fishing in 1979. In most Gulf States, the sport catch usually exceeds commercial landings. There are few data on population dynamics of the species. Larval and juvenile red drum eat primarily invertebrates; adults feed on fish, shrimp, and crabs. Red drum tolerate a wide range of temperatures (2/sup 0/ to 37.5/sup 0/C) and salinities (0.14 to 50 ppt). 47 refs., 2 figs., 10 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State (USA). Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries
- OSTI ID:
- 6530018
- Report Number(s):
- FWS/OBS-82-11.36; TR-EL-82-4; ON: TI86900196
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
FISHES
HABITAT
LIFE CYCLE
GULF OF MEXICO
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BASELINE ECOLOGY
COASTAL WATERS
ESTUARIES
FISHERIES
LARVAE
SEAFOOD
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
FISH PRODUCTS
FOOD
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES
520100* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)