Pouting

Fact File: Common Name(s): Pouting, Bib, Pout Whiting, Pout Scientific Name: Trisopterus luscus Usual Size: 30cm UK Record Weights from rod/line: Shore: 4-09-00 Pembrook, Guernsey.  R.Andrews 1991 Boat: 5-08-00 BerryHead, Brixham.  R.S.Armstrong 1969 MAFF Minimum Size: Shore: Boat: NFSA Boat 25cm  Shore18cm

Identification: A deep bodied codfish with slightly compressed sides, with three dorsal and 2 anal fins. The anterior dorsal fin is high and pointed due to the elongation of it's first ray, and subsequent diminishment of the rays behind it, coupled with it's narrow base. In contrast the anterior anal fin has a wide base, starting beneath the centre of the first dorsal, and ending behind the junction of the second and third dorsal fins. The lateral line is distinct and continues to the tail fin. The head accounts for about a fifth of the total length. The eyes are large in comparison to the head size. The top jaw is longer than the lower jaw. A well developed barbel is present on the chin, and is almost the same size as the diameter of the eye. The mouth angle is below the eye. The back is a copper brown, that fades to an iridescent brownish yellow, with an almost pinkish sheen, on the sides, and a white belly. The sides often exhibit four or five dusky vertical bars or bands, with a characteristic black spot at the base of the pectoral fins. Breeding: Spawns around March to April in waters with temperatures of at least 8 to 9oC, and hatch in 10 to 12 days.Reach maturity at the end of their first year with a body length of around 24cm or so. Reach about 30cm in length in their third year. Habitat: Common inshore fish of waters with depth from 3 to 100m, although 300m is not unknown. Small pout are to be found in shallow water over sandy ground, whilst the larger adults tend to favour rocky substrates and wrecks. Loose shoaling fish, that tends to be demersal in nature. Food: Diet consists mainly of amphipods, shrimps, crabs, and other crustaceans, and maybe supplemented with squid, small fish, and polychaete worms. Range: Occurs throughout the waters of the UK, especially in the NorthSea, English Channel, and Western Coasts. Additional Notes: Poor Eating.

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