About Lagodon rhomboides (Linnaeus, 1766)
Lagodon rhomboides, commonly known as pinfish, has a moderately deep, compressed oval body, a small mouth, and moderately large eyes. The dorsal profile of its head is steep, forming a sharp snout. The teeth at the front of its mouth are small, incisor-like, and point outwards. It has 12 dorsal fin spines and 10 dorsal fin rays; the small first spine points forward, which gives the species its common name of pinfish. Its anal fin has three spines and 11 soft rays. This species has an olive-colored back that fades to bluish-silver on the flanks. The flanks are marked with slender horizontal yellow and blue stripes, plus five or six faint, poorly defined dark vertical bars. Its fins are pale yellow with wide, pale blue edges, and there is a distinct black spot on the shoulder just behind the operculum. The maximum published total length for this pinfish is 40 cm (16 in), though a length of 18 cm (7.1 in) is more typical. Its maximum published weight is 1.5 kg (3.3 lb).
Lagodon rhomboides occurs in Bermuda, along the United States coast from Massachusetts to Texas, along the Mexican Gulf Coast, along the northern Yucatán coast, and near some northern Caribbean islands. It is less common in the tropical parts of its range. Adult pinfish prefer waters between 30 and 50 feet deep, while juvenile pinfish are most often found in areas with cover such as seagrass beds, rocky bottoms, jetties, pilings, and mangroves. The species prefers higher-salinity water. It rarely forms schools, but will gather with other pinfish especially where food like barnacles is abundant.
Lagodon rhomboides reaches sexual maturity at around one year of age, when it measures 80 to 100 mm in length. Its spawning season falls during fall and winter. Females broadcast eggs into the water, where they are fertilized by males. A female can produce between 7,000 and 90,000 eggs. The eggs hatch after approximately 48 hours, and adults do not protect the larvae. The larval stage ends when the fish reaches around 12 mm in length, and juveniles reach maturity at around 80 mm. Since this species is preyed on by many other animals, its lifespan is generally short.
