*Information from FAO Species Identification Guide Western Central Atlantic*
Size
Maximum 36 cm; common to 25 cm.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries
Found over sandy or muddy bottoms in coastal waters to about 60 m.The fish spend the summer and autumn in their nursing and feeding grounds in estuaries, the young-of-the year often remaining in the estuarine waters. Feed mainly on bottom-dwelling worms, small crustaceans, and organic detritus. Caught with bottom trawls, seines, gill nets, and pound nets; also on hook-and-line by anglers. Seasonal fisheries in river estuaries, and along beaches throughout its range, except off the southern tip of Florida. Larger fish marketed fresh and becoming quite popular in recent years; smaller fish are mainly used for manufacture of pet food and for bait.
Distribution
Atlantic coast, Cape Cod to Florida and Gulf of Mexico, from Florida to Rio Grande.
