Cynoscion arenarius

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Cynoscion arenarius
Cynoscion arenarius.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Sciaenidae
Genus: Cynoscion
Species:
C. arenarius
Binomial name
Cynoscion arenarius
Ginsburg, 1930

Cynoscion arenarius, sand seatrout, sand weakfish or white trout, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is closely related to the common weakfish ( Cynoscion regalis ) and may be a subspecies of C. regalis.

Contents

Taxonomy

Cynoscion arenarius was first formally described in 1930 by the American ichthyologist Isaac Ginsburg with its type locality given as Galveston, Texas. [2] The genus Cynoscion is classified by the 5th edition of Fishes of the World in the family Sciaenidae, with the croakers and drums. [3] In Florida this species hybridizes with two other species of Cynoscion, C. regalis and C. nothus , confirmed by genetic studies [1] and some authors suggest that this taxon may actually be a subspecies of the common weakfish (C. regalis) that lacks spots. [4]

Description

Cynoscion arenarius has a body that is elongated and compressed. The upper body is silvery gray foding to silvery in the lower body. The anal and pelvic fins are pale to yellowish and the caudal and the soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin have indistinct spots. The axil of the pectoral fins and the inside of the operculum is dark. [5] The teeth are arranged in many rows with 2 large canines at the front of the upper jaw; while the lower jaw has row of widely spaced larger teeth which grow in size towards the back of the mouth. [6] There are no barbels or pores on the chin but there are 2 marginal pores on the snout. [7] The dorsal fin is incised and there are 9 or 10 spines in the part before the incision and a single spine and between 25 and 29 soft rays to its rear. The anal fin has 2 spines and 9 or 10 spines. [5] This fish has a maximum published total length of 63.5 cm (25.0 in), although 35 cm (14 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 2.8 kg (6.2 lb). [7]

Distribution and habitat

Cynoscion arenarius is found in the western Atlantic Ocean where it occurs from Florida into the Gulf of Mexico as far south as the Bay of Campeche in Mexico. [7] This is a demersal fish occurring in shallow coastal waters, including in the surf zone and in estuaries, [6] where there is a sandy substrate at depths down as far as 177 m (581 ft). [5]

Biology

Cynoscion arenarius undertake seasonal migrations to spawn and to avoid high water temperatures. They swim into estuaries in the summer to breed and feed. They feed on fish and crustaceans. Eggs laid in offshore areas where the tidal currents will move them towards the shore. They have a lifespan of up to six years. [5] During courtship and spawning the males produce a purring sound, similar to that of C. regalis, which they create by vibrating a special muscle against their swim bladder. They sart to produces sound at dusk and will do so each night for the length of the spawning season. [8]

Fisheries

Cynoscion arenarius is a target species for both commercial and recreational fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. It is an economically valuable species in Mexico, particularly in Veracruz, where it is fished for by commercial fisheries using gill net and hook and line. In the United States it is fished for commercially but is not as highly regarded as the spotted seatrout ( C. nebulosus ). [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cynoscion regalis</i> Species of fish

Cynoscion regalis, the weakfish, squeteague, bastard trout, bastard weakfish, common weakfish, gray weakfish, chickwick, gray trout, gray sea trout, sand trout, silver weakfish or squit, is a marine ray-finned fish of the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers.

<i>Cynoscion nebulosus</i> Species of fish

Spotted seatrout, also known as speckled trout, is a common estuarine fish found in the southern United States along coasts of Gulf of Mexico and the coastal Atlantic Ocean from Maryland to Florida. While most of these fish are caught on shallow, grassy flats, spotted seatrout reside in virtually any inshore waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they often come for shelter during cold weather. Contrary to its name, the spotted seatrout is not a member of the trout family (Salmonidae), but of the drum family (Sciaenidae). It is popular for commercial and especially recreational fishing in coastal waters of the southeastern United States. Adults reach 19-37 inches in length and 3-17 pounds in weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spot (fish)</span> Species of fish

The spot, also known commonly as the spot croaker, Norfolk spot and the Virginia spot, is a species of small short-lived saltwater fish in the family Sciaenidae. The species inhabits estuary and coastal waters from Massachusetts to Texas, and derives its name from the prominent dark spot behind each gill. It is the only species in the genus Leiostomus. Spot are frequently caught by recreational anglers and are good to eat.

<i>Bairdiella chrysoura</i> Species of fish

Bairdiella chrysoura, the American silver perch, silver croaker or goldtail croaker, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. This species is widespread along the eastern cost of North America and is commonly caught by inshore anglers in search of larger species. This fish is common up to 20 cm (7.9 in), but can be found uncommonly to 30 cm (12 in).

<i>Cynoscion acoupa</i> Species of fish

Cynoscion acoupa, the acoupa weakfish, blacktail basher or grey snapper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. This fish is found in the western Atlantic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic croaker</span> Species of fish

The Atlantic croaker is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae and is closely related to the black drum, the silver perch, the spot croaker, the red drum, the spotted seatrout, and the weakfish. It is commonly found in sounds and estuaries from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico.

The striped croaker, also known as the St Lucian corvina, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. This species is found in the western Atlantic Ocean in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

<i>Cynoscion</i> Genus of fishes

Cynoscion is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family, Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. These fishes are found off the coasts of North and South America in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans. Many fishes in this genus have been given the common name weakfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reeve's croaker</span> Species of fish

Reeve's croaker, also known as the goldbelly croaker, golden corvina, yellowfin croaker or yellowfin corvina, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. This species is found in the coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Chrysochir.

<i>Atractoscion</i> Genus of fishes

Atractoscion is a genus of marine ray-finned fished belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. The fishes in this genus are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackbar drum</span> Species of fish

The blackbar drum is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the genus Pareques in the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver seatrout</span> Fish species

The silver seatrout, also known as white trout, sugar trout, and silver weakfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. This fish is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.

<i>Odontoscion dentex</i> Species of fish

Odontoscion dentex, the reef croaker or brown large-eyed croaker, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. It is found in coral and rocky reefs of the tropical Western Atlantic, living as solitary individuals or in small groups at a depth of 1 to 30 m. This species feeds on small fish, shrimp, and larvae.

The prickly croaker is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. The species is found in the Indo-West Pacific around southeast Asia. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Aspericorvina.

The yellowtail croaker, also known as the yellowtail jewfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. This species is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean off northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Austronibea.

The bluestreak drum, also known as the bluish croaker, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Elattarchus. This species is found in the central eastern Pacific Ocean along the coasts of the Americas.

<i>Isopisthus</i> Genus of fishes

Isopisthus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. These fishes are found in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans.

<i>Macrodon</i> Genus of fishes

Macrodon is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. These fishes are found in the eastern Pacific and western Atlantic Oceans.

<i>Micropogonias furnieri</i> Species of fish

Micropogonias furnieri, the whitemouth croaker, golden croaker, hardhead, mangrove snapper, rocandoronco, two-belly bashaw, West Indian croaker, West Indian drum or whitemouth drummer, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. This fish is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

<i>Odontoscion</i> Genus of fishes

Odontoscion is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the croakers and drums. These fishes are found in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Espinosa-Perez, H.; Robertson, R. (2020). "Cynoscion arenarius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T196690A79104403. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T196690A79104403.en . Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  2. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Cynoscion". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  3. J. S. Nelson; T. C. Grande; M. V. H. Wilson (2016). Fishes of the World (5th ed.). Wiley. pp. 497–502. ISBN   978-1-118-34233-6. Archived from the original on 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  4. Hoese, H. Dickson and Richard H. Moore (1998). Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico: Texas, Louisiana, and Adjacent Waters (2 ed.). Texas A&M University Press.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Sand Seatrout". Mexican Fish. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Species: Cynoscion arenarius, Sand Weakfish, Sand seatrout". Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean online information system. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute . Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2023). "Cynoscion arenarius" in FishBase . February 2023 version.
  8. "Sand Seatrout". Discovery of sound in the sea. University of Rhode Island . Retrieved 3 May 2023.