NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION OF REDFISH AND 

 OTHER COMMERCIAL SCIi€NIDS ON THE TEXAS COAST 



By JOHN C. PEARSON 



Temporary a.isislani, Unile.d States Bureau nf Fisheries 

 J* 



CONTENTS 



Page 



Introduction 130 



General problem 130 



Aim of the investigation • 131 



Description of Texas coast 131 



Methods 1 36 



Area of study 136 



Sampling of fish population 137 



Collecting gear 138 



Natural history of the redfish (Scisenops ocellatus) 139 



Description of adult 139 



Description of young 139 



Spawning and early distribution of young 142 



Growth and age 145 



Seasonal distribution and movements 152 



Size and age at maturity 153 



Food habits 154 



Commercial considerations 155 



Summary 157 



Natural history of the black drum (Pogonias cromis) 157 



Description of adult 157 



Description of young 158 



Spawning and early distribution of young 160 



Growth and age 165 



Size and age at maturity 170 



Seasonal distribution and movements 171 



Food habits 174 



Commercial considerations 175 



Summary 17g 



Natural history of the spotted trout {Cynoscion nebulostcs) 178 



Description of adult 178 



Description of young 178 



Spawning and early distribution of young ^ 180 



Growth and age 182 



Size and age at maturity 189 



Seasonal distribution and movements igO 



Food habits 191 



Commercial considerations , 192 



Summary 194 



129 



