Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico) - Sheepshead. [Archsargus probatocephalus]

Technical Report · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5412042

Jennings, C A

The sheepshead, Archosargus probatoceuphalus, contributes moderately to the multi-million dollar commercial and sport fishery in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Commercial landings for 1982 were 558 t valued at $225,300; more than 1.8 million sheepshead were caught by anglers in 1979. Juveniles and adults move offshore as temperatures decline in fall. Spawning probably takes place in offshore waters during the spring. Larvae move inshore to grass flats in estuaries where they feed on soft plants and animals. Juveniles and adults live near structures on the bottom, such as pilings, or along the shore; they are omnivorous, but primarily eat mollusks and crustaceans. Sheepshead can tolerate wide ranges of temperatures and salinities. Little is known about the actual time of inshore and offshore movements, growth rate, age composition, role in trophic dynamics of estuaries, and age at maturity. 44 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State (USA). Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries
• OSTI ID: 5412042
• Report Number(s): NP-5901732; ON: DE85901732
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIOLOGY
CARIBBEAN SEA
ECOLOGY
FISHES
FISHING INDUSTRY
GULF OF MEXICO
HABITAT
INDUSTRY
REPRODUCTION
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TAXONOMY
VERTEBRATES