Dictionary Definition
scup
Noun
1 flesh of fish found in colder waters of
northern Atlantic coast of the United States
2 lean flesh of fish found in warm waters of
southern Atlantic coast of the United States [syn: porgy]
3 porgy of southern Atlantic coastal waters of
North America [syn: southern
porgy, southern
scup, Stenotomus
aculeatus]
4 found in Atlantic coastal waters of North
America from South Carolina to Maine; esteemed as a panfish [syn:
northern
porgy, northern
scup, Stenotomus
chrysops]
Extensive Definition
- This article is about a type of fish. For the organization whose acronym is SCUP, see Society for College and University Planning.
The scup, Stenotomus chrysops, is a fish which occurs primarily in the
Atlantic
from Massachusetts
to South
Carolina. Along with many other fish of the family Sparidae, it also
commonly known as porgy.
Scup grow as large as 18 in (450 mm) and weigh 3 to 4 lb (2
kg), but they average
1/2 - 1 lb (0.5 kg).
In the Middle
Atlantic Bight, scup spawn along the inner continental shelf.
Their larvae end up in
inshore waters, along the coast and in estuarine areas. At 2 to 3
years of age, they mature. Scup winter along the mid and outer
continental shelf. When the temperature warms in the spring they
migrate inshore.
They are fished for by commercial and
recreational fishermen. They are a fine fish to eat because of
their light flavor and are sometimes called panfish. Popular methods of
cooking include but are not limited to frying, broiling and
baking.
References
scup in Dutch: Scup