The culturability of marine fishes in georgia: Preferred habitat characteristics and behavioral responses of atlantic tripletail, Lobotes surinamensis, and of spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, to fixed, changing, and experimentally- manipulated capti

Atlantic tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) and spotted sea trout (Cynoscion nebulosus) have become increasingly popular sport and game fish among recreational fishermen (Coastal Resources Division (CRD), 2007; Mahood, 1975). The purpose of this thesis research was to gain a better understanding of the biology, ecology, and culture potential of these species through experiments examining the culture potential of Atlantic tripletail and experiments involving direct observations of behavior of spotted sea trout held in captivity. Adult Atlantic tripletail were held in captivity for an average of 49 days with a maximum culture time of 96 days before mortality occurred. Spotted sea trout respond to the water flow direction by facing head into the water flow 98% of the time. Spotted sea trout were found to associate with structure 90% when water flow was not present compared to 78% association with structure when water flow was present.