Occurs in estuaries (especially in the north) (Ref. 7251) to 357 m depth (Ref. 58426). It is tolerant of temperatures between 0 and 21°C (Ref. 58426). Abundant among beds of eelgrass (Zostera) (Ref. 5951). Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, sea squirts, sea urchins and fishes (alewives, cunner, eels, saand lance, mummichogs, silversides, sticklebacks and tomcod (Ref. 5951)) (Ref. 58426).