Cynoscion nothus
If you’re wondering which is the smallest species of sea trout; it is none other than the silver sea trout. This species is different from sand sea trout, with which it is commonly associated. As the name indicates, silver sea trout are entirely silver without any yellow coloration, and they are covered in small dark spots in rows on the upper side of their bodies.
So far, there has been no sufficient study on the lifespan of silver sea trout. However, the maximum reported age is 1 year. Silver sea trout rarely grow to be more than 10 to 14 inches in length, and they only weigh around one-half pound. The fish have large eyes, and the lower half of the tail is longer than the upper half. The anal fin contains between 8 and 9 anal soft rays. The dorsal soft rays total between 26 and 31. The silver sea trout species has what is known as a gas bladder with straight anterior appendages.
Silver sea trout have interesting coloration starting as gray on top with the color abruptly changing to silver on the sides. There may be light diagonal lines noticeable on the upper portion of the body. The silver sea trout’s large mouth has a projected lower jaw with widely spaced teeth and an upper jaw with large canine-like teeth. The chin lacks barbels or pores, but there are two pores on the snout. When it’s time to eat, Silver sea trout mainly feed on shrimp and small fish.
The habitat and migration of silver sea trout stretches from the Western Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico, and they are found primarily in deeper bay areas. Their preferred habitat consists of sand or sandy mud bottoms and offshore areas. Silver sea trout spawn offshore during the spring, summer, and fall months. During colder months, the fish migrate into warmer bay waters, but depending on food sources, the distance traveled for migration can be quite significant.