Tautog

📖 Overview

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 .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Distinguished from Tautogolabrus adspersus which occurs in the same area and further north, by its steep, rounded dorsal head profile; stouter body; scaled lower gill cover; and the more backward location of the pelvic fins.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Tautog is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Tautog is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Spawns in groups or in pairs. Pairing occurs between females and size-dominant males exhibiting strong territoriality and performing a protracted courtship . Gonochorism is confirmed for this species .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 75 m. Subtropical; 46°N - 31°N, 81°W - 58°W east of Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada to South Carolina in USA; most abundant between Cape Cod and Delaware Bay.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 67 records indexed .

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