Early life history of the red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Pisces: Sciaenidae), in Tampa Bay, Florida
Peters, K.M.; McMichael Jr., R.H. (1987). Early life history of the red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Pisces: Sciaenidae), in Tampa Bay, Florida. Estuaries 10(2): 92-107
In: Estuaries. The Estuarine Research Federation, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory: Columbia, S.C., etc.,. ISSN 0160-8347; e-ISSN 1559-2758, more
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| Keywords |
Behaviour > Migrations
Diets
Fishery sciences > Biology > Fishery biology
Life history
Population functions > Growth
Spawning
Pisces [WoRMS]; Sciaenidae Cuvier, 1829 [WoRMS]; Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1766) [WoRMS]
Brackish water |
| Authors | | Top |
- Peters, K.M.
- McMichael Jr., R.H.
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| Abstract |
The distribution, hatching dates, growth, and food habits of larval and juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in Tampa Bay, Florida, are described. From September 1981 through November 1983, 800 larvae and 7,536 juveniles (98% <100 mm SL) were collected, primarily with plankton nets and bag seines. Spawning took place from mid-August through late November with a major peak during October in 1981 and 1982. Larvae became less abundant, but increased in size, from the mouth to the upper bay, indicating that spawning took place in the bay mouth or nearshore waters. At approximately equals 8 mm SL (17 days old) larvae settled out along the bay shore before migrating toward low salinity backwater areas. Juveniles grew to about 55 mm SL by the end of December and 303 mm SL by the end of their first year. Small juveniles fed primarily on mysids, amphipods, and shrimp, whereas larger juveniles fed more on crabs and fish. Changes in diet were noted with growth. |
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