Scup
Encyclopedia
The scup, Stenotomus chrysops, is a fish
which occurs primarily in the Atlantic from Massachusetts
to South Carolina
. Along with many other fish of the family Sparidae
, it is also commonly known as porgy.
Scup grow as large as 18 in (450 mm) and weigh 3 to 4 lb (2 kg
), but they average 1/2 - 1 lb (0.5 kg).
In the Middle Atlantic Bight, scup spawn along the inner continental shelf. Their larva
e end up in inshore waters, along the coast and in estuarine areas.
At 2 to 3 years of age, they mature. Scup winter along the mid and outer continental shelf. When the temperature warms in the spring they migrate inshore.
They are fished for by commercial and recreational fishermen. They are a fine fish to eat because of their light flavor and are sometimes called panfish
. Popular methods of cooking include but are not limited to frying, broiling and baking.
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
which occurs primarily in the Atlantic from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
to South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Along with many other fish of the family Sparidae
Sparidae
The Sparidae is a family of fish, included in the order Perciformes. The fish of the family are commonly called sea breams and porgies . The sheepshead, scup, and red sea bream are species in this family. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters and are bottom-dwelling carnivores....
, it is also commonly known as porgy.
Scup grow as large as 18 in (450 mm) and weigh 3 to 4 lb (2 kg
Kilogram
The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
), but they average 1/2 - 1 lb (0.5 kg).
In the Middle Atlantic Bight, scup spawn along the inner continental shelf. Their larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e end up in inshore waters, along the coast and in estuarine areas.
At 2 to 3 years of age, they mature. Scup winter along the mid and outer continental shelf. When the temperature warms in the spring they migrate inshore.
They are fished for by commercial and recreational fishermen. They are a fine fish to eat because of their light flavor and are sometimes called panfish
Panfish
A panfish, also spelled pan-fish or pan fish, is an edible game fish that usually doesn't outgrow the size of a frying pan. The term is also commonly used by anglers to refer to any small catch that will fit in a pan, but is large enough to be legal. However its definition and usage varies with...
. Popular methods of cooking include but are not limited to frying, broiling and baking.