 Spot Leiostomus xanthurus |
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Known for the distinctive croaking or drumming sound produced by resonating its large swim bladder, the spot is one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most important commercial and recreational species. It has been found in the main stem and all tributaries of the Bay.
Moderate in size, with a maximum length of 14 inches, the fish has a distinct dark to black spot, just behind the top of the gill opening on its body and about 12 to 15 dusky, oblique bars on its upper side. Its mouth is quite small and tail fin is distinctly forked.
The spot is an opportunistic bottom feeder that consumes worms, small crustaceans and mollusks. They are often seen congregating over oyster beds. The fish is an important source of food for striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, shark and flounder.
Spot occur from the Gulf of Maine to Florida, and are most abundant from the Chesapeake Bay south to South Carolina. While the species can live up to five years, few survive past the age of three.
Mature spot migrate seasonally, wintering in deep portions of the Bay or the Atlantic and entering estuaries in the spring, where they remain until moving offshore to spawn in late summer or fall.
Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles
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