Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Pacific Southwest). Pacific and Speckled Sanddabs

摘要

Species profiles are literature summaries of taxonomy, morphology, range, growth characteristics, ecology, life history, and commercial importance of coastal species. Pacific sanddab, Citharichthys sordidus, and speckled sanddab, Citharichthys stigmaeus, are common along the California coast from the intertidal zone to depths of 306 m. Pacific sanddabs spawn from July to September and speckled sanddabs from April to September. Eggs and larvae are common throughout the range of the species. Average life span is 8-10 years in Pacific sanddabs and 3-4 years in speckled sanddabs. Females of both species live longer than males. Female Pacific sanddabs attain sexual maturity at age 3 and female speckled sanddabs at age 2. Postlarvae feed on zooplankton; adults eat a variety of crustaceans and fish. Both species prefer sandy bottoms. The speckled sanddab was the most abundant species caught in trawl surveys off southern California. Commercial catch statistics lump both species under 'sanddabs'. Average annual lands, 1930-70, were 500,000 pounds and from 1971-86, lands rose to 900,000 pounds. Commercial fish buyers paid $.37 per pound for sanddabs in April, 1987.