Tautoga onitis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Body Appearance

Tautoga onitis, commonly called tautog, have brown and dark olive bodies marked with white blotches, and are plump and elongated in shape.

Typical Adult Weight

Adults typically weigh between 0.5 kg and 1.5 kg (1 to 3 lb).

Maximum Recorded Size

The species reaches a maximum length of 90 cm (3 ft) and a maximum weight of 13.1 kg (28 lb 14 oz).

Rocky Habitat Adaptations

Tautog have many adaptations for living in and around rocky areas.

Oral and Jaw Structure

They have thick rubbery lips, powerful jaws, and a set of molar-like teeth at the back of their throats.

Feeding Traits and Prey

This combination of traits lets them pick and crush prey such as mollusks and crustaceans.

Skin and Slime Characteristics

Their skin has a rubbery texture and is covered in a thick layer of slime, which protects the fish when they swim among rocks.

Spawning Timing and Location

Spawning for tautog takes place offshore from late spring to early summer.

Egg Development

Eggs hatch and develop as they drift in open water.

Juvenile Settlement Habitat

All juvenile tautog settle in shallow, protected waters, where they live and hide in seaweed, sea lettuce, or eelgrass beds for protection.

Juvenile Coloration

Young tautog are green in color to camouflage themselves.

Juvenile Winter Behavior

In late fall, juveniles move offshore, where they spend the winter in a state of reduced activity.