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Amazing spotted sea bass: How do they adapt and survive in the ocean?
The spotted seabass (Cynoscion nebulosus), known as spotted bass along the southern coast of the United States, is a common estuarine fish. They live in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean along the coast from Maryland to Florida. These brightly colored fish are mostly caught in shallow water weed stacks, but they can survive in any inland body of water, from the breakers of outer islands to the uppermost reaches of coastal rivers, where they often seek shelter during cold weather.
"The name spotted sea bass confuses many people because they are not part of the trout family but are a member of the drum family."
This fish is popular for commercial and recreational fishing along the southeastern coast of the United States. Adults can reach lengths of 19 to 37 inches and weigh between 3 and 17 pounds.
Distribution and habitat
Spotted seabass is mainly found in waters along the southeastern coast of the United States, such as Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida. They are also commonly found along the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. These fish prefer water temperatures between 59°F and 86°F and are typically found in waters with salinities of 5 to 35 ppt.
Migration
Spotted seabass migrates to deeper waters during the winter, but returns to estuaries and coastal waters again in spring and summer.
Features
The name spotted sea bass is recognized by the American Fisheries Society, but this fish has many other names, including speckled trout, spotted fish, etc. Their unique canine teeth and soft dorsal fin make them unique among their species. The spotted sea bass has distinct spots scattered across its back, especially on its dorsal and caudal fins.
"These unique markings are not only beautiful, they also play a key role in providing cover for prey."
Spotted sea bass typically range in size from 1.1 to 2.2 pounds, but some exceptionally large individuals are known as "crocodile trout." These fish can reach an average weight of 0.5 to 1.0 kilograms, with the largest record being 7.9 kilograms.
Food
Young spotted sea bass mainly feed on shrimps and other crustaceans, but as they grow older, their diet becomes more and more fish-oriented, especially their favorite eel species, and will even devour food larger than themselves. A large fish.
"Research shows that large spotted sea bass tend to prey on fish similar to their own size in their food choices. This is undoubtedly part of their survival rules."
Reproduction and growth
During the breeding season, mature males will make "drumming" sounds to attract females. Spotted sea bass have an especially long breeding season between spring and summer. It takes about two weeks to reach 5 to 7 mm from hatching, and can grow to 170 to 200 mm in seven months. Usually, spotted sea bass mature between one and two years old, and young fish with partially mature brains can reproduce.
Fishing
The fishing of spotted sea bass is mainly focused on recreational fisheries. Almost all spotted sea bass are caught by hooks, and the use of gill nets has been banned in many places. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, spotted sea bass is one of the most popular recreational fishing species in the United States. Between 1993 and 2003, Louisiana recreational fishermen caught more than 6 million spotted sea bass annually.
“Due to their ability to reproduce, spotted seabass is ranked as a top sustainable seafood choice in Louisiana and Florida.”
Management
Currently, management measures for spotted seabass mainly focus on size and catch limits, but more information collection efforts are planned to provide a more comprehensive understanding of its health status and abundance.
Can fisheries management policies adequately address future environmental changes and the impacts of human activities on this fascinating fish?
