Spot (fish)

The Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) or Norfolk spot[1] is a small short-lived saltwater fish in the family Sciaenidae. The species inhabits estuary and coastal waters from Massachusetts to Texas, and derives its name from the prominent dark spot behind each gill. It is the only species in the genus Leiostomus. Spot are frequently caught by recreational anglers and are good to eat.

Not to be confused with Spotfin croaker.

Spot
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Sciaenidae
Genus:
Leiostomus
Species:
L. xanthurus
Binomial name
Leiostomus xanthurus
Spot range map

Their diet consists largely of organic detritus, small crustaceans, and worms. Bloodworms are the ideal bait when fishing for spot.

Spot are the natural prey of the following fish: striped bass, flounder, sandbar shark, dogfish shark, weakfish, red drum, black drum, spotted seatrout, Atlantic mackerel, king mackerel, spanish mackerel, barracuda, cobia, black sea bass, and tarpon. The list can go on for some time however these are some of the most known predators of the spot fish.

Fishermen also use juvenile spot as whole live bait to catch summer flounder, spotted seatrout, and red drum as well as several other species.

The North Carolina Spot Festival is held at Hampstead, North Carolina, on the last weekend of September.[2]

Distribution

Leiostomus xanthurus is native to the west central and northwest regions on the Atlantic Ocean. It is found along the Gulf of Mexico, along the southern coast of the U.S from Massachusetts and down to Campeche, Mexico. It is typically found in depths no more than 6 meters, but can be found up to 50 meters in depth. Irregularly, it can also be found in south Florida, the Florida Keys, and near Cape Cod.

Habitat

Leiostomus xanthurus lives in salt waters, especially brackish waters, mostly over sandy and muddy floors. It lives in the estuaries and bays until spring, when it migrates to the deeper waters that it spawns in. During summer, it moves to water with a higher salinity, and then it moves offshore once autumn begins, and the water begins to cool.

Diet

Leiostomus xanthurus is omnivorous, and eats benthic invertebrates, small crustaceans, and plant and animal detritus. This includes polychaetes, worms, small fish, small plankton, and mollusks.

Importance for Humans

Leiostomus xanthurus is a very important fish for both recreational and commercial fishing. It was ranked third in a recreational fishing survey done in 1980, and is still one of the most frequently caught fish.

Reproduction and Lifestyle

Leiostomus xanthurus spawns in fall to early winter time. It moves from its typical bay and estuary habitat to an offshore area of deeper water, where up to 1.7 million eggs may be laid. The eggs are externally fertilized and pushed back toward shore. Larvae quickly grow in the warmer offshore water and move into coastal shallows and bays for winter.

Management

Spot are protected and monitored under the Chesapeake Bay Atlantic Croaker and Spot Fishery Management Plan of 1991. The 1987 fishery management plan of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was aimed mainly at reducing the numbers of juvenile fish taken as bycatch by shrimpers.[3]

At least one aquaculture project in New Jersey is attempting to culture spot for potential commercial production.[4]

References
  1. [s.n.] (2005). Species Profile: Spot; Popular South Atlantic Stock Benefits from Bycatch Reduction Efforts Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. ASMFC Fisheries Focus 14 (4/5; May/June 2005; revised January 2007). Accessed March 2015.
  2. "North Carolina Spot Festival". Retrieved 4 December 2008.
  3. 2010 Maryland FMP Report Section 3.Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulates) and Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) (PDF). July 2011. pp. 1–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2012. Archived 4 October 2012
  4. Russel Babb et al. (October 2011). Opportunities & Potential for Aquaculture in New Jersey: An Update of the Aquaculture Development Plan Archived 8 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Trenton, NJ: New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Accessed March 2015.
  • Chao, L. & Espinosa-Perez, H. 2015. Leiostomus xanthurus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T193267A49239289. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T193267A49239289.en.
  • Bare, L. 2001. "Leiostomus xanthurus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 2, 2017 at http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Leiostomus_xanthurus/
  • Hill, K. 2005. Leiostomus xanthurus. Smithsonian Marine Station. Retrieved May 2, 2017 at http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/leiosto_xanthu.htm
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