Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles

Family Elopidae

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 estuarine waters; huge scales; mouth large and points upward

Similar species: (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 catches 40 to 150 pounds

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 the surfact; feeds mainly on fish and large crustaceans

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