Spotted Seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus

Least Concern Saltwater

Max Length

100.0 cm

Max Weight

7.9 kg

Color

Silver-gray body with a greenish …

Depth Range

10-?m

Family

Sciaenidae

About

The spotted seatrout, despite its name, is a member of the drum family, not the trout family. It inhabits grass flats and estuaries along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Males produce a distinctive drumming sound to attract females.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	100.0 cm
Maximum Weight	7.9 kg
Depth Range	10-?m

Coloration

Silver-gray body with a greenish iridescent back; scattered round black spots on the upper flanks, back, and dorsal and caudal fins; belly silver-white; fins yellowish to pale; two prominent canine teeth.

Habitat & Distribution

Neritic, coral reefs, estuaries

Water Type

Saltwater

Depth Range

10-?m

Geographic Range

Western North Atlantic from New York south along the US Atlantic coast through the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatán. Resident in estuaries, seagrass beds, and shallow bays; rarely ventures far from inshore coastal habitat.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Spotted Seatrout is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Edibility & Culinary

Taste

Soft, delicate white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor; low fat and best eaten fresh. A Gulf Coast favorite — excellent pan-fried, baked with Cajun spices, or used in fish tacos.

Fishing Information

Game Fish

Yes

Fight Rating

5/5

Recommended Bait

live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs, MirrOlures

Taxonomy

Order	Perciformes (Perch-like fishes)
Family	Sciaenidae (Drums and croakers)
Species	Cynoscion nebulosus

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
Chinese (Simplified)	雲紋犬牙石首魚
French	Acoupa pintade
Spanish	Corvinata pintada

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat Spotted Seatrout?

Soft, delicate white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor; low fat and best eaten fresh. A Gulf Coast favorite — excellent pan-fried, baked with Cajun spices, or used in fish tacos.

How big does Spotted Seatrout get?

Spotted Seatrout can grow up to 100.0 cm long and weigh 7.9 kg.

Where is Spotted Seatrout found?

Is Spotted Seatrout endangered?

The conservation status of Spotted Seatrout is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Spotted Seatrout belong to?

Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) belongs to the family Sciaenidae (Drums and croakers) in the order Perciformes (Perch-like fishes).