Tautog (Tautoga onitis)

Scientific name: Tautoga onitis Linnaeus, 1758

Tautog (Tautoga onitis)

The Tautog (Tautoga onitis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Western Atlantic, slightly east of Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada to South Carolina in USA; most abundant between Cape Cod and Delaware Bay.

Biology

Found close to shore on hard-bottom habitats, occasionally entering brackish water. Adult male territorial and active during the day to feed and rests in crevices at night. Prefers temperatures above 10?C. Spawning was noted in June-July in Canadian waters, but appears more protracted (April-July) in coastal waters of Virginia, USA. Feeds mainly on mussels, gastropods, other mollusks and crustaceans. This species has gained popularity as a prized food and sport fish. Investigation on the diel and seasonal activity patterns of the adult tautog in its southern range were conducted using ultrasonic telemetry.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Tautoga onitis
Family
Labridae (Wrasses)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
91.0
Depth range
1–75 m (3–246 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 75 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: slightly east of Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada to South Carolina in USA; most abundant between Cape Cod and Delaware Bay.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (A2bd)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.09; tm=2-3; tmax=34)

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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