Posted by DMD on December 09, 2001 at 18:24:34:
In Reply to: Facts about Male Sheephead and Breeding posted by msblucow on December 09, 2001 at 15:46:11:
I'd suggest that large male sheephead (note the CORRECT spelling for the fish from the Pacific, sheepshead live in the Atlantic) are more more valuable for their place in the ecosystem than for their breeding potential. As major urchin predators they serve to maintain the health of the kelp beds. Few other local fish species can deal with urchins, sheephead have throat teeth that allow them to easily eat these spiny holdfast destroyers. As to taking YEARS to change sex, I've seen it happen in less than 2 months in captive individuals. They are quite functional as males, even when lacking the vibrant red and black coloration and knot on their heads. But the fact that some of our local sheephead were around when Teddy Roosevelt established our first National Park ought to engender them some respect. Hunt something with a shorter lifespan...like dorado (3-4 years) or yellowfin tuna (7-8 years). Long live spearfishing, ling live the kelp beds, long (100+ years)live the big old goats.
Dan