FISHES OF THE GULF OF MAINE 



287 



Size. — Maximum length about 3 feet. The 223^-pounder, 36^ inches long, 

 mentioned by Goode (1S8S) as caught off New York in 1876 and preserved in the 

 United States National Museum, still remains the heaviest fish definitely recorded. 

 This was a monster, fish over 14 pounds being very rare, with 12-pounders unusual. 

 As they come to market tautog average hardly more than 2 or 3 pounds. 



Fig. 132.— Tautog ( Tautoga onitis) 

 a. Adult. 6, Egg. c, Larva, 1 day old, 2.9 millimeters, d. Larva, 5 millimeters, e, Fry, 10 millimeters. 



General range. — Atlantic coast of the United States from the Bay of Fundy to 

 South Carolina, chiefly south of Cape Ann, and most abundant between Cape Cod 

 and the Delaware Capes. 



Occurrence in the Gulf of Maine. — The tautog is not and never has been a very 

 plentiful fish in the Gulf. Its center of abundance lies farther south. Most authors 

 102274—25+ 19 



