(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - seatrout, sand
OTHER COMMON NAMES - sand seatrout and white trout
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Osteichthyes,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Perciformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Sciaenidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Cynoscion,
SPECIES AND SSP - arenarius,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Cynoscion arenarius
AUTHORITY - Ginsburg
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 72
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Sport Fish
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
Commercial
Commercial/industrial
See Comments
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 72, 161 and 230
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
The sand seatrout is one of the most abundant fishes in the estuarine and
nearshore waters of the gulf. It is a valuable recreational species and a
major component of the industrial bottom fishery and shrimp bycatch *72*.
Sand and silver seatrout are among the most common species caught in the
northern Gulf of Mexico industrial bottom fishery *72*.
The sand seatrout is an important recreational species throughout the gulf
*72*.
The industrial and foodfish fisheries in the northern Gulf of Mexico
primarily exploit croaker, spot, and trout (Cynoscion nothus and Cynoscion
arenarius *161*.
The sand seatrout is a popular game fish *230*.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 72
LAND USE -
Water
Bays and Estuaries
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 72
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Estuarine
Estuarine
Marine
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 72 and 230
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Sand seatrout are found offshore--to depths of 100 meters (330)--more often
than most members of the drum family, although adults also are found in
estuaries. Spawning occurs offshore, near passes and inlets, from March to
September. The larvae migrate into shallow areas of upper estuaries and as
they grow move into deeper, open bay water; juveniles prefer grass beds and
marshes. Adults also move into the estuaries following spawning and
concentrate around hard objects. In the fall, most juveniles and adults
move off-shore *229*.
Sand seatrout spawn in lower estuarine environments or inshore gulf waters
*72*.
Sand seatrout have been reported to use estuarine areas and nearshore gulf
waters as nursery grounds *72*.
Adult sand seatrout are most abundant in bays, lagoons, and shallow open
waters of the gulf *72*.
Sand seatrout have been reported as common in inner bays, sounds, and
shallower offshore waters *72*.
Adults are widespread in bays, marsh lakes, and bayous *230*.
Very small juveniles prefer protected marsh waters *230*.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 72
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Crustaceans Not Specified
General Fish Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Not Specified
General Clupeiformes Not Specified
General See Comments; Food Not Applicable
Adult Annelids Not Specified
Adult Crustaceans Not Specified
Adult Fish Not Specified
Adult Osteichthyes Not Specified
Adult Clupeiformes Not Specified
Adult See Comments; Food Not Applicable
Juvenile Crustaceans Not Specified
Juvenile Copepods Not Specified
Juvenile Fish Not Specified
Juvenile See Comments; Food Not Applicable
Important Fish Not Specified
Important See Comments; Food Not Applicable
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 72
REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 72
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 72
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 72
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
Fish predominate in the diets of sand seatrout from the Gulf of Mexico.
Several investigators have noted changes in diet relative to growth in
length. Location is also important to sand seatrout diet. Fish are heavily
consumed near passes of the estuary, whereas mysidaceans are eaten more
frequently in lower salinity areas *72*.
The stomach contents of sand seatrout taken from Mississippi Sound yielded
the following percentages: stomatopods 3%, penaeids 53%, carideans 7%, and
fishes 55% (mostly bay anchovies and gulf menhaden). Sand seatrout taken
throughout the northern gulf region showed that fish were the primary food,
with the bay anchovey being the most frequently utilized species. Shrimp
were also eaten, with Trachypenaeus and Acetes being most commonly observed
*72*.
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
In one study, specimens of 160-375 mm SL contained 46% fish (mostly the bay
anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli), 10% crustaceans, and 1% annelids (percentages
are fequencies of occurrence in fish with food items) *72*.
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD -
In one study, mysid shrimp and calanoid copepods were the main diet of fish
less than 40 mm SL in Florida waters, but fish became a more important part
of the diet as sand seatrout grew larger. In another study, the stomachs of
sand seatrout 45-159 mm SL contained 38% crustaceans and 30% fish.
Food Habits - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
G Dissolved Oxygen: Specified in Comments
G Substrate: Specified in Comments
G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
G Coastal Features: Reefs
G Estuarine habitat zone: bay
G Estuarine habitat zone: sound
G Estuarine habitat zone: offshore
G Estuarine habitat zone: specified in comments
A
A
A
A
A
A Substrate: Specified in Comments
A Estuarine habitat zone: bay
A Estuarine habitat zone: specified in comments
BA Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
J Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C
J Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
J Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
J Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
J Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J Substrate: Specified in Comments
L Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C
L Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
L Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
L Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
L Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L Substrate: Specified in Comments
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 72
REFERENCES FOR ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 72
REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 72
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 72
REFERENCES FOR LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 72
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
TEMPERATURE
Examination of catch records of sand seatrout from gulf coast estuarine
systems found a temperature range of 5 to 30 degrees C; optimum catches
were at temperatures of 29-32 degrees C with seines and 25 to 32 degrees C
with trawls. However, some were taken at temperatures as high as 40 degrees
C *72*.
SALINITY
Found in moderate to high salinity areas *230*.
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Information on relationships between dissolved oxygen and sand seatrout
tolerance or preferences is scarce. An unreferenced study stated that sand
seatrout tend to avoid water with less than 4.6 to 5.0 mg/l of dissolved
oxygen *72*.
SUBSTRATE
Habitat preferences of sand seatrout include oyster-reef substrates and
water depths greater than 1 m *72*.
HABITAT ZONE
Sand seatrout are more common in inner bays, sounds, and shallower offshore
waters, while silver seatrout are more abundant farther offshore *72*.
Widespread in bays, marsh lakes, and bayous. Ecological affinity is
estuarine-marine (migratory) *230*.
COMMENTS ON ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
SALINITY
Adult sand seatrout have been taken in salinities up to 45 ppt *72*.
SUBSTRATE
Adults are found over most substrates in estuaries and offshore *72*.
HABITAT ZONE
Adult sand seatrout are most abundant in bays, lagoons, and shallow open
waters of the gulf *72*.
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
WATER DEPTH
Studies from different areas show a range of spawning depths from 7-22m to
73-91m *72*.
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Sand seatrout have been reported to use estuarine areas and nearshore gulf
waters as nursery grounds *72*.
TEMPERATURE
Larval and juvenile sand seatrout have been collected in water temperatures
of 5 to 35 degrees C, but most are taken at temperatures above 10 degrees
C. Small fish (less than 20 mm SL) were taken most frequently in
Mississippi at temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees C, but were also found at
temperatures as low as 15 degrees C *72*.
SALINITY
Small sand seatrout (less than 20 mm SL) have been collected in Mississippi
waters at salinities of 0-30 ppt. In another study, larval and juvenile
sand seatrout were found in salinities of 0-26 ppt. A study in Mississippi
waters found the highest catches of larger young-of-the-year (20 to 90 mm
SL) at salinities of less than 15 ppt, the majority being taken in less
than 10 ppt. Larger fish (90 to 220 mm SL) were most frequently taken in
salinities above 15 ppt *72*.
Juvenile sand seatrout are broadly euryhaline *230*.
SUBSTRATE
Early life stages of sand seatrout prefer soft organic bottom *72*.
COMMENTS ON LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
WATER TEMPERATURE
Larval and juvenile sand seatrout have been collected in water temperatures
of 5 to 35 degrees C, but most are taken at temperatures above 10 degrees
C. Small fish (less than 20 mm SL) were taken most frequently in
Mississippi at temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees C, but were also found at
temperatures as low as 15 degrees C *72*.
SALINITY
Small sand seatrout (less than 20 mm SL) have been collected in Mississippi
waters at salinities of 0-30 ppt. In another study, larval and juvenile
sand seatrout were found in salinities of 0-26 ppt *72*.
SUBSTRATE
Early life stages of sand seatrout prefer soft organic bottom *72*.
Environment Associations - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
MORPHOLOGY/IDENTIFICATION AIDS
Vertebrae 25. Soft anal rays 11, sometimes 10 or 12. Dorsal soft rays
modal number 26, commonly 25 or 27. Total number of gill rakers usually 14
or 13, but frequently 15. The usual number of gill rakers on the two limbs
of the first arch is 4 + 10 or 3 + 10. Caudal not emarginate in individuals
over 300 mm long, the middle rays being somewhat longer. Least depth of
caudal peduncle usually shorter than snout; 1.56 to 1.82 in maxillary.
Color pale, without well-defined spots, yellowish above, silvery below, the
center of the scales above level of gill opening sometimes having faint
oblique rows of cloudy areas. Back cloudy in young, the cloudy areas
tending to form indefinite cross bands *72*.
Sand seatrout and silver seatrout are sometimes difficult to distinguish.
It has been noted that the silver seatrout has ctenoid scales, which make it
feel rougher to the touch than sand seatrout *72*.
SPAWNING
Sand seatrout mature at 140 to 180 mm total length (TL) as they approach age
I in gulf waters off Freeport, Texas. One study of sand seatrout in Texas
gulf waters identified two spawning peaks. The first peak was in early
March to May (spring), and a second was in late summer (August and
September). Other studies have indicated a broad period of spawning during
spring and late summer *72*.
Sand seatrout spawn in lower estuarine environments or inshore gulf waters.
Studies from different areas show a range of spawning depths from 7-22m to
73-91m. Variation in spawning depths may be due to differences in depths of
habitats off Texas and the Mississippi Delta *72*.
FECUNDITY
Mean fecundity for sand seatrout has been estimated to be 100,990 eggs *72*.
LARVAE
Despite their common occurrence and importance, the early life history of
seatrouts from gulf waters has not been adequately studied.
JUVENILES
Sand seatrout have been reported to use estuarine areas and nearshore gulf
waters as nursery grounds *72*.
ADULTS
Adult sand seatrout are most abundant in bays, lagoons, and shallow open
waters of the gulf. Sand seatrout have been reported as common in inner
bays, sounds, and shallower offshore waters *72*.
PERIODICITY
One study found sand seatrout to be more than three times as abundant in
night samples as in daytime collections (taken at the same locations)
during May and June in Mississippi Sound *72*.
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS
In one study, fish that were spawned in the spring averaged 160 to 190 mm TL
at 6 months and 220 to 280 mm at age I, whereas those spawned in late summer
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
ranged from 120 to 150 mm TL at 6 months and 210 to 250 mm TL at age I.
Maximum size for sand seatrout in Texas gulf waters has been estimated to be
342 mm TL, but few fish longer than 300 mm TL have been taken. Some larger
fish, however, have been reported for gulf waters, ranging in total length
from 425 to 497 mm, and 540 and 590 mm TL *72*.
Monthly increase in total length of sand seatrout was greatest during May to
October (35 mm TL/month), and slowest in winter (5-10 mm TL/month). A
weekly summer growth rate of 5.8 mm SL for sand seatrout from Mississippi
Sound has been estimated *72*.
LIFE SPAN
The maximum life span of sand seatrout has been estimated to be 1 to 2 years
for fish taken with trawls and 2 to 3 years for those taken with other
gears. Annual mortality has been calculated to be near 100% *72*.
LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Average Number of Offspring/Reproductive Effort: Grea
Periodicity: Other (specify in comments)
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 72
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Maintaining unique or special habitat features [wetlands, caves,
Beneficial
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 229
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The sand seatrout is considered to be an estuarine-dependent species.
Larvae migrate into shallow areas of upper estuaries. Adults also move into
the estuaries following spawning and concentrate around hard objects *229*.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species seatrout, sand
Species Id M010245
Date 26 AUG 96
References
72* Sutter, F. C., T.D. McIlwain. 1987. Species Profiles: Life Histories
and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Gulf
of Mexico) -- Sand Seatrout and Silver Seatrout. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Biol. Rep. 82(11.72) pp 16.
161* Nickelson, R. III. 1977. Proceedings of the Second Annual
Tropical and Subtropical Fisheries Technological Conference of
the Americas. (70-101). Texas A&M University pp 338.
References - 1