Lagodon

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Lagodon
20230606 Lagodon rhomboides (cropped).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Spariformes
Family: Sparidae
Genus: Lagodon
Holbrook, 1855
Species:
L. rhomboides
Binomial name
Lagodon rhomboides
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Synonyms [2]
  • Sparus rhomboidesLinnaeus, 1766

Lagodon is a monospecific genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. The only species in the genus is Lagodon rhomboides, the pinfish, red porgy, bream, pin perch, sand perch, butterfish or sailor's choice. This fish is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Contents

Taxonomy

Lagodon was first proposed as a genus in 1855 by the American zoologist John Edwards Holbrook with Sparus rhomboides as its only species. [3] Sparus rhomboides was first formally described in 1766 by Carl Linnaeus in the Systema naturae sive regna tria naturae giving the type locality as "America", although it is considered to be North Carolina. [4] In 1940 Henry Weed Fowler described a new species, Salema atkinsoni, the type having been caught off Cape May, New Jersey which he placed in a subgenus of Salema he named Sphenosargus. This taxon is now regarded as a junior synonym of L. rhomboides. [3] [4] This taxon is placed in the family Sparidae within the order Spariformes by the 5th edition of Fishes of the World . [5] Some authorities classify this genus in the subfamily Boopsinae, [6] but the 5th edition of Fishes of the World does not recognise subfamilies within the Sparidae. [5]

Etymology

Lagodon combines lagus, meaning "hare" or "rabbit", with odon, which means "tooth", this is thought to be a reference to the 8 wide, deeply notched incisor-like teeth at the front of each jaw. The specific name rhomboides means "in the form of a rhombus", presumed to be a reference to the shape of the scales in the illustration of two seabreams called Perca marina rhomboidalis fasciata drawn by Mark Catesby published in 1754. [7] Other names include pinfish, [8] choffer, [9] pin perch, [10] and butterfish. The name "Choffer" is a very limited regional moniker around Panama City that ends somewhere between Destin & Pensacola. [11]

Description

Lagodon has a moderately deep and compressed oval-shaped body with a small mouth and moderately large eyes. The dorsal profile of the head is steep and leads to a sharp snout. [12] The teeth in the front of the mouth are small and incisor-like and point outwards. [13] There are 12 dorsal fin spines; the first spine is small and points forward and gives this fish its common name of pinfish, and 10 dorsal fin rays. The anal fin has three spines and 11 soft rays. [14] This species has an olive back, shading to bluish-silver on the flanks marked with slender yellow and blue horizontal stripes and five or six dark, poorly defined, vertical bars also on the flank. The fins are pale yellow with wide, pale blue edges. There is an obvious black spot on the shoulder, to the rear of the operculum. [15] The pinfish has a maximum published total length of 40 cm (16 in), although 18 cm (7.1 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb). [2]

In a home aquarium Pinfish1.JPG
In a home aquarium

Distribution and habitat

Lagodon is found in Bermuda and along the United States coast from Massachusetts to Texas, and down along the Mexican Gulf Coast. It is also found along the northern Yucatán coast and near some northern Caribbean islands, but it is less common in the tropical portions of its range. [2] The adult pinfish prefers waters between 30 and 50 feet deep, while the juvenile is more common where there is some cover, such as seagrass beds, rocky bottoms, jetties, pilings, and mangroves. It prefers higher-salinity water. It rarely schools, but it associates with other individuals, especially where food items such as barnacles are abundant. [16]

Diet

Lagodon undergoes ontogenetic changes in the morphology of their dentition and gut tracts which affect diet throughout their life history. Juvenile pinfish are carnivorous and primarily eat shrimp, fish eggs, insect larvae, polychaete worms, and amphipods. As pinfish become older and larger they become increasingly more herbivorous, with plant matter comprising >90% of the diet for pinfish greater than 100mm. [16]

Predators

The pinfish is prey for alligator gar, longnose gar, ladyfish, spotted sea trout, red drum, southern flounder, pelicans, grouper, cobia, snook and bottlenose dolphins. [16]

Reproduction

Lagodon reaches sexual maturity at about one year, when the fish is 80 to 100 mm in length. Spawning season is in the fall and winter. Eggs are broadcast in the water by the female, then fertilized by the male. The number of eggs varies from 7,000 to 90,000. They hatch after about 48 hours. Larvae are not protected by adults. The larval stage ends when the fish is about 12 mm in length, and the juvenile reaches maturity when it is about 80 mm. Because this species is eaten by many other animals, its life span is generally short. [16]

Commercial and recreational significance

Lagodon is not generally sought as sport or food in the United States due to its small size and numerous small bones. It is often used as live bait by anglers targeting tarpon, red drum, spotted sea trout, and flounder. Because it is generally considered a nuisance bait-stealer, [16] anglers opt to catch Lagodon in traps [17] in order to improve the efficiency and gather more live bait quickly.

The famous naturalist, Edward O. Wilson, lost the vision in his right eye at the age of seven, when he caught a pinfish and it flew up and struck him in the face. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sparidae</span> Family of fishes

Sparidae is a family of ray-finned fishes belonging to the order Spariformes, the seabreams and porgies, although they were traditionally classified in the order Perciformes. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters around the world and are demersal carnivores.

<i>Pagellus</i> Genus of fishes

Pagellus is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. These fishes are found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the western Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilt-head bream</span> Mediterranean fish

The gilt-head bream, also known as the gilthead, gilt-head seabream or silver seabream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the seabreams or porgies. This fish is found in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is a highly esteemed food fish and an important species in aquaculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red porgy</span> Species of fish

The red porgy, also known as the common seabream or Couch's bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Sparidae. It is found in shallow waters on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, being present on the western coast of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea as well as the eastern coasts of North and South America and the Caribbean Sea. It feeds on or near the seabed and most individuals start life as females and later change sex to males.

<i>Pagrus</i> Genus of fishes

Pagrus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. These fishes are found in the Western Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. They are esteemed food fishes which are targeted by commercial fisheries and are grown in aquaculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black seabream</span> Species of fish

The black seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish has a wide distribution in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The black seabream is an important food fish, especially in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common dentex</span> Species of fish

The common dentex is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This species is found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a highly valued food fish and is an important target species for fisheries and the population has shown large declines leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature to classify its conservation status as Vulnerable.

<i>Acanthopagrus latus</i> Species of fish

Acanthopagrus latus, the yellowfin seabream, grey bream, Houttuyn's yellowfin seabream, Japanese bream or yellow-finned black porgy, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salema porgy</span> Species of fish

The salema porgy, also known as the dreamfish, salema, cow bream, karanteen, salpa, saupe, strepie or goldline, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Sarpa. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and southwestern Indian Ocean. This species has been known to cause ichthyoallyeinotoxism when eaten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spottail pinfish</span> Species of fish

The spottail pinfish is an ocean-going species of fish in the family Sparidae. It is also known as the spottail seabream or spottail pinkish porgy. Along with other members of their family, spottail pinfish are occasionally eaten and considered by some to be a panfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saddled seabream</span> Species of fish

The saddled seabream, also called the saddle bream or oblade, is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Oblada. This species is found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is an important food fish within its range.

<i>Diplodus sargus</i> Species of fish

Diplodus sargus, the sargo, common white seabream, or white seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a target species for commercial fisheries and is grown in aquaculture. D. sargussensu lato was formerly thought to be a widespread species in the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans but the taxa outside of D, sargussensu stricto are now recognised as valid species and are part of the D. sargus species complex.

<i>Archosargus</i> Genus of fishes

Archosargus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, the sea breams and porgies. These fishes occur in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackspot seabream</span> Species of fish

The blackspot seabream, also known as the red seabream and as the besugo, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This is a widespread species in the Eastern Atlantic from Norway to Mauritania, including Macaronesia and the western Mediterranean. It is an important species to fisheries, although overfishing has led to this species being classified as Near Threatened.

<i>Rhabdosargus sarba</i> Species of fish

Rhabdosargus sarba, also known as the goldlined seabream, silver bream, tarwhine, or yellowfin bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.

<i>Diplodus annularis</i> Species of fish

Diplodus annularis, the annular seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the family which includes the seabreams and porgies. This species is found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean.

<i>Spondyliosoma</i> Genus of fish

Spondyliosoma is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. The genus contains two species, one, the black seabream, from the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the other, the steentjie seabream, from the western Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pink dentex</span> Species of fish

The pink dentex is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, a family that includes the seabreams and porgies. This species is found in the temperate and tropical waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

<i>Evynnis</i> Genus of fishes

Evynnis is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. The genus comprises 4 species, 3 in the Western Pacific Ocean and 1 in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.

<i>Stenotomus</i> Genus of fishes

Stenotomus is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. The fishes in this genus are found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

References

  1. ↑ Russell, B.; Carpenter, K.E.; MacDonald, T. & Vega-Cendejas, M. (2014). "Lagodon rhomboides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T170250A1301642. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T170250A1301642.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Lagodon rhomboides". FishBase . October 2023 version.
  3. 1 2 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Sparidae". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  4. 1 2 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Lagodon". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  5. 1 2 Nelson, J.S.; Grande, T.C.; Wilson, M.V.H. (2016). Fishes of the World (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 502–506. doi:10.1002/9781119174844. ISBN   978-1-118-34233-6. LCCN   2015037522. OCLC   951899884. OL   25909650M.
  6. ↑ Parenti, P. (2019). "An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Sparidae". FishTaxa. 4 (2): 47–98.
  7. ↑ Christopher Scharpf (12 January 2024). "Order ACANTHURIFORMES (part 6): Families GERREIDAE, LETHRINIDAE, NEMIPTERIDAE and SPARIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "Pinfish". Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  9. ↑ "Fish Bites: Match live bait with target fish". Panama City News Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  10. ↑ "Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides)". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  11. ↑ "Choffer -- real name?". ScubaBoard. 2006-10-11. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  12. ↑ "Lagodon rhomboides (Linnaeus 1766) Family Sparidae". Florida Museum. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  13. ↑ Brenda Bowling (2012). "Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides Family Sparidae - porgies". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "Lagodon rhomboides (Linnaeus, 1766) Family: Sparidae pinfish". Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  15. ↑ Stephanie Boyd (November 2017). "Pinfish". Texas Saltwater Fishing. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides)". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Pinfish Traps". Reel Texas Outdoors. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  18. ↑ Quammen, D. (2021). "On the Accidental Career of E.O. Wilson". Literary Hub. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
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