Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)

Scientific name: Archosargus probatocephalus Walbaum, 1792

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)

The Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sparidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Nova Scotia, Canada and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Absent in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the West Indies and Grenada.

Biology

Inhabits bays and estuaries. Freely enters brackish waters; sometimes enters freshwaters. Commonly found around pilings. Caught by anglers from jetties or rocky shores. Feeds mainly on mollusks and crustaceans. An excellent food fish. Marketed fresh and frozen; eaten broiled, microwaved and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Archosargus probatocephalus
Family
Sparidae (Porgies)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
91.0
Common length
35.0
Depth range
15 m (49 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 15 - ? m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Absent in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the West Indies and Grenada.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.4; tmax=20)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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