Tautog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tautog |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Genus:
Species:
|
The tautog (Tautoga onitis), also known as the blackfish, is a cool type of wrasse fish. You can find it in the western Atlantic Ocean, all the way from Nova Scotia in Canada down to South Carolina in the USA. These fish love to live in rocky areas near the coast, from about 1 meter to 75 meters deep. The tautog is the only fish in its special group, or genus.
The name "tautog" comes from a Native American language called Narragansett. The original word was tautauog. People also call this fish "black porgy," "chub," "oyster-fish" (especially in North Carolina), or "blackfish" (in places like New York and New England).
Contents
What Does a Tautog Look Like?
Tautog fish are usually brown and dark olive green, with some white spots. They have plump, long bodies. Most tautog weigh about 0.5 to 1.5 kilograms (1 to 3 pounds). They can grow up to 90 centimeters (3 feet) long and weigh as much as 13.1 kilograms (29 pounds).
These fish have special features that help them live among rocks. They have thick, rubbery lips and very strong jaws. At the back of their throats, they have teeth that look like molars. These strong teeth help them pick up and crush hard-shelled prey. They love to eat mollusks like clams and crustaceans like crabs. Their skin is also a bit rubbery and covered in a lot of slime. This helps protect them when they swim through rocky places.
Tautog as Food
The tautog has always been a popular fish to eat, especially in New York. Its meat is white, not too oily, and has a nice, delicate flavor. People often grill it, bake it, or use it in fish chowder.
Fishing for Tautog
Tautog are very popular with fishermen, but they are known for being tricky to catch. One reason is that they live among rocks and other structures. This can make a fishing line get stuck easily.
Fishermen use different kinds of bait to catch tautog. Some of their favorites include green crabs, Asian shore crabs, fiddler crabs, clams, shrimp, mussels, sandworms, and even lobsters.
Catching tautog can also be hard because fishermen often try to pull the hook too soon. It's better to wait for the tautog to fully swallow the bait. To avoid getting stuck in the rocks, fishermen use simple fishing setups with very few beads, swivels, or hooks.
Because tautog live in places like shipwrecks, scuba divers often see them. They are also a favorite fish for spearfishermen.
Tautog Life Cycle
.jpg)
Tautog lay their eggs in the open ocean during late spring and early summer. The eggs float and develop as they drift in the water. Once they hatch, the young fish move to shallow, safe waters. They hide in seaweed, sea lettuce, or eelgrass beds for protection. They are green in color, which helps them blend in with the plants. When fall arrives, they move back out to deeper water and spend the winter in a state of reduced activity.
Protecting Tautog Populations
Tautog reproduce and grow slowly. This makes them more likely to be overfished, meaning too many are caught. To protect them, rules are in place to reduce how many fish are caught. These rules include limits on fishing gear, how big the fish must be to keep, how many fish a person can catch, and specific fishing seasons.
Currently, the Blue Ocean Institute suggests that people avoid eating tautog. This is because their numbers are low and not considered healthy for the future. Around the 1920s, about 750 tons of tautog were caught each year off the New England coast.
See also
- Blackfish
- Cunner
