Description: last ray of
dorsal fin extended into long filament; one dorsal fin; back dark blue to
green or greenish black, shading into bright silver on the sides; may be
brownish gold in estuarien waters; huge scales; mouth large and points
upward.
Similar Fish: (as
juveniles) ladyfish, Elops saurus.
Where found: primarily
INSHORE fish, although adult fish spawn OFFSHORE where the ribbon-like
larval stage of the fish can be found.
Size: most angler catchs
40 to 50 pounds.
*Florida Record: 243 lbs.
Remarks: slow grower;
matures at 7 to 13 years of age; spawning occurs between May and
September; female may lay more than 12 million eggs; can tolerate wide
range of salinity; juveniles commonly found in fresh water; can breathe
air at surface; feeds mainly on fish and large crustaceans.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's
printed publication, Fishing
Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are
provided as only as a benchmark.
