Species profiles - life histories and environmental requirements (Gulf of Mexico): Gulf menhaden

Technical Report · Mon Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6086893

Lassuy, D R

Species profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are prepared to assist in environmental impact assessment. The gulf menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, supports the largest fishery (by weight) in the United States; 779,390 mt were landed in 1979. Larval, juvenile, and adult menhaden are important prey for many fishes and birds. The species lives in estuaries and in the Gulf of Mexico to a maximum depth of about 70 m. Spawning takes place in the Gulf of Mexico from September to May and larvae are carried into estuaries within 3 to 5 weeks after hatching. Larvae inhabit the shallow marshy parts of estuaries and feed on microzooplankton. Larvae metamorphose into juveniles which are omnivorous filter feeders. As they grow, juveniles move from shallow parts of estuaries to deeper areas. Juveniles and adults migrate to the Gulf of Mexico as temperatures drop in the fall. Adults become sexually mature after two growing seasons. They have been collected in a temperature range of 5/sup 0/ to 34.9/sup 0/C and a salinity range of 0 to 67 ppt. Larvae and juveniles tolerate lower salinities than adults.

• Research Organization: Fish and Wildlife Service, Slidell, LA (USA). National Coastal Ecosystems Team
• OSTI ID: 6086893
• Report Number(s): FWS/OBS-82/11.2; ON: DE83902493
• 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
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
DISTRIBUTION
ECOLOGY
FISHES
FISHING INDUSTRY
GULF OF MEXICO
HABITAT
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
POPULATIONS
REPRODUCTION
SEAS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SURFACE WATERS
TAXONOMY
VERTEBRATES