Sheepshead

Sheepshead (Diplodus probato cephalus), an American fish of the family Sparidae, allied to the perches. It occurs along the east coast from southern Florida to Cape Cod. The name refers to the shape and colour of the head, and to the teeth, which are broad blades in front and grinding molars on the sides of the jaws. The sheepsheads live near the bottom, especially about oyster and mussel beds or about wrecks, feeding on molluscs and barnacles. In the south they often ascend rivers. Except in spring, when they spawn, they live gregariously. In size they vary greatly, from 2 to 12 pounds weight. They afford good sport to anglers. The Scup or Porgie (Stenotomus chrysops) is nearly allied, and not very far removed is the fresh-water Drumfish (Haplostinotus grunniens), to which the name sheepshead is also applied.