Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). Sea catfish and Gafftopsail catfish
Species profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are designed to assist in environmental impact assessment. Sea catfish and gafftopsail catfish are not preferred sport nor commercial fish; however, their high abundance inshore along the northern Gulf of Mexico causes them to rank 2nd or 3rd and no lower than 13th of all saltwater finfish in angler surveys. Sea catfish comprised less than 2% in industrial bottom trawl fisheries although surveys in depths to 20 m revealed they comprised 2 to 36%, by weight, of the bottom fishes. Sea catfish attain sexual maturity before 2 years of age, and spawn from May to August in shallow bays. Adult males do not feed for 60 to 80 days while carrying fertilized eggs and sac-fry in their mouths. Juveniles remain in low-salinity estuaries until decreasing water temperatures above 25/sup 0/C but remain inshore at temperatures above 10/sup 0/C. Sea catfish and gafftopsail catfish have been collected from waters with salinities ranging from 0 to 30 ppt, but prefer water salinities above 10 ppt. Water depth preferences of sea catfish and gafftopsail catfish appear related to water temperature, salinity, and bottom substrate. As juveniles, both species are opportunistic feeders utilizing microcrustaceans, and as adults, they feed upon detritus, microcrustaceans, and larger invertebrates. Blue crabs and shrimp are considered major food items. 70 references, 2 figures.
- Research Organization:
- Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5302975
- Report Number(s):
- FWS/OBS-82/11.5; ON: DE84900750
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
FISHES
ECOLOGY
LIFE CYCLE
GULF OF MEXICO
COASTAL WATERS
DATA COMPILATION
ESTUARIES
FEDERAL REGION IV
FEDERAL REGION VI
FEEDING
FISHING INDUSTRY
GROWTH
HABITAT
POPULATION DYNAMICS
REPRODUCTION
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
TAXONOMY
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIOLOGY
CARIBBEAN SEA
DATA
DISTRIBUTION
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VERTEBRATES
520100* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)