| Description: |
basic
silvery color; with 5 or 6 distinct vertical black bands
on sides, not always the same on both sides; prominent
teeth, including incisors, molars, and rounded grinders;
no barbels on lower jaw; strong and sharp spines on dorsal
and anal fins. |
| |
|
| Similar
Fish: |
black
drum, Pogonias cromis; Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus
(black drum have barbels on lower jaw, sheepshead do not;
vertical barring on sides of black drum and spadefish
disappear as fish mature; spadefish have small, brush-like
teeth). |
| |
|
| Where
found: |
INSHORE
species around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks;
moves NEARSHORE in late winter and early spring for spawning,
gathering over debris, artificial reefs and around navigation
markers. |
| |
|
| Size: |
INSHORE,
1 to 2 pounds; OFFSHORE, common to 8 pounds. |
| |
|
| Florida
Record*: |
12
lbs., 2 ozs. |
| |
|
| Remarks: |
feeds
on mollusks and crustaceans such as fiddler crabs and
barnacles; famed nibblers, prompting the saying that "anglers
must strike just before they bite." |
*
The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission's printed publication. The records
are provided as only as a benchmark. |
