Early Life History of the Red Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Pisces: Sciaenidae), in Tampa Bay, Florida

Abstract

The distribution, hatching dates, growth, and food habits of larval and juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in Tampa Bay, Florida, are described. From September 1981 through November 1983, 800 larvae and 7,536 juveniles (98%<100 mm SL) were collected, primarily with plankton nets and bag seines. Analysis of otoliths and length-frequency distributions indicate that spawning took place from mid-August through late November with a major peak during October in 1981 and 1982. Larvae became less abundant, but increased in size, from the mouth to the upper bay, indicating that spawning took place in the bay mouth or nearshore waters. At about 8 mm SL (17 days old) larvae settled out along the bay shore before migrating toward low salinity backwater areas. Juveniles grew to about 55 mm SL by the end of December and 303 mm SL by the end of their first year. Young red drum gradually moved back into the bay with increased size and age. Eighty-five percent of larval stomachs, examined were empty; those with food contained copepods almost exclusively. Fewer than 7% of juvenile stomachs were empty. Small juveniles fed primarily on mysids, amphipods, and shrimp, whereas larger juveniles fed more on crabs and fish. Changes in diet were noted with growth, but few differences were seen among areas or habitat types.