Bergall

A bergall or cunner or conner, Tautogolabrus adspersus, is a saltwater fish found in the western Atlantic. It is edible and its musky taste is considered a delicacy by some. Specimens may grow to 12 inches though most range from 4-10. Often bergall are found mixed in with blackfish (tautog), living on or near the same structures. Much of the food eaten by those bergall living among blackfish are the leftovers from the blackfishes prey. Cunner can be distinguished from the tautog by their pointed snout. Cunner are generally smaller, so are usually thrown back by anglers who think they've caught a "short" tautog. Cunner are pesky bait stealers, and anglers who target them use the smallest hooks possible. They are used as bait when fishing offshore, or filleted for use inshore or as chum. They prefer to live near structures, such as sunken boulders. In past years, they have been important commercial fish, but now are considered pests. Cunner can be confused with black sea bass and other grouper, as well as tautog for their ability to change color.