*Information from FAO Species Identification Guide Western Central Atlantic*
Size
Maximum size to 60 cm standard length, commonly to 40 cm standard length.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries
Coastal and tidal fresh waters; euryhaline, entering brackish and fresh water, anadromous. Most of adult life spent in sea. Spawns in tidal fresh water (Patuxent River, Chesapeake Bay in May-June; Virginia rivers and southern part of range in February- May). Sexually mature at 3 to 5 years. Estimated fecundity 43,000 to 348,000 eggs/female.Feeds on small fishes, also squids, small crabs, and other crustaceans, as well as fish eggs. Of minor importance to fisheries. Caught with seines, pound nets, and in lesser quantities in gill and fyke nets.
Distribution
Western North Atlantic (Maine southward to the St. Johns River, Florida); also in rivers.
