Tautog (Tautoga onitis) is a saltwater, brackish species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 1–75 m.
Scientific name: Tautoga onitis · Water: Saltwater, Brackish
Size: up to 91 cm
The tautog is a labrid found close to shore on hard-bottom habitats, occasionally entering brackish water, from 1 to 75 m. Adult males are territorial and active during the day to feed, resting in crevices at night, and the species prefers temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius. It feeds mainly on mussels, gastropods, other mollusks and crustaceans, and it has gained popularity as a prized food and sport fish; its activity patterns have been studied using ultrasonic telemetry. Its range is the western Atlantic, from slightly east of Halifax in Nova Scotia to South Carolina, and it is most abundant between Cape Cod and Delaware Bay. Maximum length is about 91 cm total length, and it can live 34 years, maturing at about 24 cm. It is a minor commercial species, a gamefish and is kept in public aquariums, with a very high price category. Fishing vulnerability is high to very high at 69 of 100 and resilience low, and climate vulnerability is moderate to high at 55 of 100. IUCN lists it as vulnerable.
Back to home · United States · Species library