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Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS
Cynoscion nebulosus
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: 15 lbs., 6 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 Department of Environmental Protection's printed
publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current
ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.
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