*Information from FAO Species Identification Guide Western Central Atlantic*
Size
Maximum size 94 cm total length.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries
Occurring to depths of 185 m, but generally found at depths of 40 m or less. Salt marsh and tidal flat habitats in lower estuary (high salinity) serve as nursery grounds. Feeds primarily on fish and squid, also crabs, shrimp, mysids, molluscs, worms, and sand dollars. Spawning occurs on continental shelf in the Middle Atlantic Bight from September through January, with peak in October and November. Eggs pelagic, from 0.9 to 1.1 mm in diameter, with an oil globule of 0.18 to 0.31 mm. Pelagic larvae develop in continental shelf waters at sizes from 2 to 13 mm standard length. A good foodfish, this species is commercially important from the Carolinas northward.
