weakfish

/week"fish'/, n., pl. (esp. collectively) weakfish, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) weakfishes.

any food fish of the genus Cynoscion, as C. regalis, inhabiting waters along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S.

[1790-1800, Amer.; < D weekvis (obs.), equiv. to week soft, WEAK + vis FISH]

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or sea trout

Any of several species (genus Cynoscion) in the drum family (Sciaenidae), carnivorous bottom-dwelling fishes along warm and tropical seashores.

The name weakfish refers to their delicate mouth, which is easily torn by fishhooks. About six species inhabit North American coasts. The weakfish, or sea trout (Cynoscion regalis), is a sport fish but is usually less than 2 ft (60 cm) long. Weakfish are caught commercially along the Middle Atlantic coastal states and are considered the most economically important species in the family. The spotted sea trout (C. nebulosus) is found along Florida's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Sea trouts resemble but are not related to true trouts.

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▪ fish

also called  Sea Trout 

      (genus Cynoscion), any member of a group of fishes in the croaker family, Sciaenidae (order Perciformes). A half dozen species inhabit the coastal regions of North America.

      The weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) is a marine sport fish but is usually less than 60 cm (2 feet) long. Much larger specimens have been caught on occasion. The term weakfish refers to their delicate mouths, which are easily torn by fishhooks. Weakfish are also caught commercially along the Middle Atlantic coastal states and are considered to be the most economically important species in the croaker family.

      The spotted sea trout (C. nebulosus), found along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of Florida, is slightly smaller than the weakfish. Although the sea trouts are similar to the true trouts (order Salmoniformes) in appearance, the two groups are not related.

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