sheepshead
Scientific name | Archosargus probatocephalus |
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Descriptor | Walbaum |
Year of description | 1792 |
IUCN category (World) | LC |
Family | Sparidae |
Genus | Archosargus |
Introduction
Archosargus probatocephalus, also known as sheepshead, is a medium-sized sparid fish native to the western coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It inhabits coastal and estuarine waters from southern Nova Scotia (Canada) to Brazil. It is absent from Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Grenada but appears to be common from the Gulf of Mexico to New York.
Equipped with complex dentition resembling that of humans, it regularly generates buzz when caught by North American fishermen. The name "sheepshead" does not come from any resemblance in the teeth of the two animals but from similarities in the silhouette of their snouts.
Its populations have long been understudied. This fish, close to the sea bream, seems to have been heavily overfished in several regions. Today, researchers are questioning the regulatory role of sheepshead. This omnivorous fish, which does not hesitate to move up estuaries, could play a central role in the plant balance of different ecosystems.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Type
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Average size35 cm
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Maximum size70 cm
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Patternvertical stripes
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Type
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Average size35 cm
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Maximum size70 cm
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Patternvertical stripes
How to recognize the sheepshead ?
The sheepshead is easily identifiable by its gray to yellowish-green body with four to seven dark vertical bars. Its compressed and deep body can reach up to 90 centimeters.
The species is known for its developed dentition. This includes incisors at the front of the jaw, followed by several rows of molars, three on the upper jaw, two on the lower. The molars allow for the grinding of mollusks and crustaceans, organisms that make up a significant part of its diet. Like in humans, this dentition allows for the ingestion of a wide variety of foods composed of both aquatic organisms and plant materials.
There are three recognized subspecies: A. p. aries, rare, reported from Belize to Rio de Janeiro, A. p. oviceps, and A. p. probatocephalus. These last two are found in North American waters. The first from St Marks to Florida, the second from Florida to Nova Scotia, Canada. Genetic differences between A. p. oviceps and A. p. probatocephalus are however not pronounced.
Sexual dimorphism
Males and females do not have notable differences. Unlike many species in their family, sheepshead do not change sex during growth.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietomnivorous
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Sociabilityliving in a group or alone
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
These fish usually live in groups or schools, although it is not uncommon to see solitary adult individuals. They are found near rocky bottoms where they search for food.
Juveniles live in schools in seagrass beds and mainly feed on soft invertebrates, such as marine worms or bryozoans. Adults gradually become omnivorous, adding a strong intake of plant matter and numerous hard-shelled invertebrates to their diet. Beyond fifty centimeters, they are capable of preying on robust animals such as sea urchins, clams, oysters, or large crustaceans.
These fish can adapt to waters ranging from 10 to 35°C. They also sometimes move up estuaries into freshwater.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond en eau libre
The sheepshead is an oviparous fish that spawns in open water. Males and females begin to reach sexual maturity around two years old. The entire population is mature by four years, at a length between 22 and 28 centimeters.
Spawning occurs multiple times within a single season. Each batch can contain between 1,000 and 700,000 eggs. Reproduction takes place from late winter to early spring, with a noticeable variation depending on the latitude. Thus, the season ranges from February to April in Florida but only occurs in April and May on the coasts of North Carolina. Before the season, adults seem to undertake migratory movements close to the coast and feeding areas in estuaries. These movements do not exceed 100 kilometers.
After spawning, the eggs are carried by currents and hatch after 28 hours in water at 23°C. The larvae measure 1.65 mm and develop slowly. They feed on plankton after four days. It will take about thirty days for the juveniles to acquire a coloring similar to that of the adults.
Harmless species
This species poses no particular danger to humans when encountered in its natural habitat.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
Geographic distribution & Conservation
This species is found from New York to Rio. Although not listed as endangered, populations appear to have declined significantly in several regions.
Records show commercial fishing of sheepshead in Chesapeake Bay as early as 1887, indicating that the species was common in that region at that time. In Florida, catches from commercial and recreational fishing peaked at around 2,540 tonnes in 1992. Recreational fishing accounted for 83% of the catches. Measures taken in 1995 led to a 50% decrease in catches throughout the state.
Between Honduras and Rio de Janeiro, records are more sporadic. At this stage, it is unknown if this low abundance is natural. However, studies seem to demonstrate the importance of the species for the trophic health of tropical reef ecosystems.
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature10 - 35 °C
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Depth5 - 50 m
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FlowMedium
Biotope presentation
Sheepshead are most commonly found at depths less than 50 meters. However, it is not impossible to find this fish at other depths. Juveniles mainly inhabit seagrass beds and very shallow waters. They are also common in areas rich in oysters.
Adults are found in rocky areas, reefs, and deeper seagrass beds. They are less frequently spotted in freshwater and brackish waters.
To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
SPARIDAE - K.E. Carpenter - FAO Fisheries Synopsis - 0.
AGE AND GROWTH OF SHEEPSHEAD, ARCHOSARGUS PROBATOCEPHALUS (PISCES: SPARIDAE), FROM THE NORTHWEST COAST OF FLORIDA - Jynessa Dutka-Gianelli - Debra J. Murie - BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, - 2001.
Juvenile and adult food habits of Archosargus probatocephalus (Teleostei: Sparidae) in a tropical estuary of Veracruz - Manuel Castillo-Rivera - Rocío Zárate-Hernández - Isaías H. Salgado-Ugarte - Hidrobiológica - 2007.
POPULATION DYNAMICS OF SHEEPSHEAD (ARCHOSARGUS PROBATOCEPHALUS) WALBAUM 1792) IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION: A COMPARISON TO OTHER AREAS AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CURRENT STATUS - Joseph Charles Ballenger - ProQuest - 2011.