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Setting up your tank

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Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) fish species and information / pictures of Sheepshead - Archosargus probatocephalus

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Archosargus probatocephalus

Common Name
Sheepshead

Biology
Inhabits bays and estuaries. Freely enters brackish waters; sometimes enters freshwaters (Ref. 26938). Commonly found around pilings. Caught by anglers from jetties or rocky shores (Ref. 9988). Feeds mainly on mollusks and crustaceans. An excellent food fish. Marketed fresh and frozen; eaten broiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Walbaum, 1792

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Porgies (Sparidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Absent in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the West Indies and Grenada (Ref. 7251, 26938).

Range

49°N - 6°S, 100°W - 36°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

15 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 15 - ? m (Ref. 9988)

Trophic Level

3.53 s.e. 0.53 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

91.0 cm

Common Length

35.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.4; tmax=20)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated