Atlantic Spadefish

Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles

Family Ephippidae

Description: silvery, with 4 to 6 black vertical bands on each side which sometimes become obscure in larger fish; deep, flattened body; separated first and second dorsal fins; concave caudal fin; anterior rays of second dorsal fin and anal fin elongated

Similar fish: no close resemblance, but frequently and mistakenly called angelfish

Where found: inshore and nearshore, around natural and artificial reefs, and especially near navigation markers in 15 to 20 feet of water

Size: most catches less than 2 pounds, known to reach 15 pounds

Remarks: spawns in spring and summer; travels in large schools; small juveniles almost totally black, known to drift on their sides and mimic floating debris; feeds on crustaceans, small encrusting invertebrates, and may nibble on tentacles of jellyfish