Species profile
Tautog
Tautoga onitis
Identify Tautog (Tautoga onitis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Tautog (Tautoga onitis) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 2 (New York); the most generous is 5 (Massachusetts).
Across 4 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 17.3 in (≈ 1 ft 5 in).
Confirmed by 871 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Can live over 35 years, making it one of the longest-lived inshore fish in the Atlantic.
- Powerful pharyngeal jaws let them crush hard-shelled prey like mussels, barnacles, and crabs.
- Also called 'blackfish,' they are prized by anglers for their firm, mild white flesh.
- Become nearly dormant in cold winter water, retreating to deep rocky areas to rest.
- Can exceed 20 pounds — one of the largest members of the wrasse family in Atlantic waters.
Where Tautog are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Tautog
Background
The tautog or blackfish, Tautoga onitis, is a species of wrasse native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. This species inhabits hard substrate habitats in inshore waters at depths from 1 to 75 m (3.3 to 246.1 ft). It is currently the only known member of its genus.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Tautog article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Tautog?
Tautog (Tautoga onitis) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Tautog?
Tautog is Tautoga onitis.
Is Tautog regulated for fishing?
Yes — Tautog has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Tautog?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Tautog along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.