Two tautog on the Hempstead Reef in Long Island Sound
~Photo by Christopher LaPorta, NYSDEC
Common Names: Tautog, Blackfish, Tog, or Bulldog
Scientific Name: Tautoga onitis
Where Are They Found?
They range from Nova Scotia, Canada to South Carolina, and can be found along the coast near rocky reefs, pilings, jetties and artificial wrecks. Blackfish are commonly caught by fishing artificial reefs in the Atlantic Ocean just south of the Long Island shore.
How Big Can They Get?
Tautogs can grow to 3 feet and weigh up to 22 pounds. The marine fishing records of New York reveal that the record tautog is 20 pounds, 10 ounces, taken in 2009. Usually, anglers catch fish from 2 to 4 pounds, with some catches around 8 to 10 pounds.
What Do They Eat?
Eating blue mussels can cause a
greenish tint in the fins of a tautog.
Tautog eat mostly mussels, clams and crabs. With their powerful jaws and large incisor-like teeth, blackfish can scrape mussels and barnacles from rocks. They also have molar-like teeth at the back of their mouth to easily crush the shells of mussels, which is their prime-choice delicacy. For fishing bait, they will take crabs, clams and worms.