Stenotomus chrysops (Linnaeus, 1766)
Scup
Stenotomus chrysops
photo by JJPhoto

Family:  Sparidae (Porgies)
Max. size:  46 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,060.0 g
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 15 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia in Canada to Florida in USA; rare south of North Carolina, USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Occurs usually in schools inshore in summer and offshore in winter. Feeds on amphipods, worms, sand dollars and young squid (Ref. 4926). Utilized fresh, smoked and frozen; eaten pan-fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9988). Exported to Japan (Ref. 9988)
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 26 May 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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