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| Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) |
The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ), called tailor in Australia,[1] is a species of popular marine game-fish found in all climates. Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Year 1766 ( MDCCLXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two It is the sole species of the Pomatomidae family.
In South Africa, this fish is commonly known as shad on the east coast, and elf on the west coast. Shad can not be commercially sold in KwaZulu-Natal and has a closed season (currently October and November) to allow for breeding. On the west coast Elf is a commercially fished species.
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Description
The bluefish is a moderately proportioned fish, with a broad, forked tail. The spiny first dorsal fin is normally folded back in a groove, as are its pectoral fins. A dorsal fin is a Fin located on the backs of some Fishes Whales Dolphins and Porpoises as well as the (extinct The Anatomy of Fish is primarily governed by the physical characteristics of Water, which is much denser than air holds a relatively small amount of dissolved Coloration is a grayish blue-green dorsally, fading to white on the lower sides and belly. Its single row of teeth in each jaw are uniform in size, knife-edged and sharp. Bluefish commonly range in size from seven inch (18 cm) "snappers" to as much as forty pounds (18 kg), though fish heavier than twenty pounds (9 kg) are exceptional.
Distribution and habitat
Bluefish are migratory marine fish, found worldwide in tropic and temperate seas, except for the eastern shores of the Pacific. The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth 's Oceanic divisions On the western side of the Atlantic, their range is from Argentina to Nova Scotia. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. Nova Scotia (ˌnəʊvəˈskəʊʃə ( Latin for New Scotland; Alba Nuadh Nouvelle-Écosse is a Canadian province located on Canada 's They are found off Africa, and in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The Black Sea is an inland Sea bounded by southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and the Anatolian peninsula ( Turkey Bluefish are generally found in bays and sandy bottomed near-shore waters. Migrating fish may be encountered in as much as 200 foot (60 m) depths. Depending on conditions such as water temperature and atmospheric pressure, bluefish may be found nearly anywhere in the water column, from just above the bottom to just below the surface.
United States migration patterns
Bluefish are found off Florida in the winter months. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the By April, they have disappeared, heading north. By June, they may be found off Massachusetts; in years of high abundance, stragglers may be found as far north as Nova Scotia. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Nova Scotia (ˌnəʊvəˈskəʊʃə ( Latin for New Scotland; Alba Nuadh Nouvelle-Écosse is a Canadian province located on Canada 's By October, they leave New England waters, heading south.
Life history
Bluefish larvae are the size of zooplankton and are largely at the mercy of currents. A larva ( Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of Animal with indirect development, undergoing Metamorphosis (for example Zooplankton are the Heterotrophic (sometimes detritivorous) type of Plankton. Spent bluefish have been found off east central Florida, migrating north. As with most marine fish, their spawning habits are not well known. In the western side of the North Atlantic, there are at least two populations, separated by Cape Hatteras in North Carolina. Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the furthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States The Gulf Stream can carry larvae spawned to the south of Cape Hatteras to the north, and eddies can spin off, carrying the larvae into populations found off the coast of the mid-Atlantic, and the New England states. The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that History See also History of New England New England's earliest inhabitants were Algonquian -speaking Native Americans including the The bluefish population is highly cyclical, with abundance varying widely over a span of ten years or more.
Feeding habits
Bluefish are voracious, predatory fish. Depending on area and season, they favor menhaden and other sardine-like fishes (Clupeidae), jacks (Scombridae), weakfish (Sciaenidae), grunts (Haemulidae), striped anchovies (Engraulidae), shrimp and squid. For the hide and seek-like game see Hide and seek. Sardines, or pilchards, are a group of several types of small Oily Clupeidae is the family of the Herrings Shads Sardines Hilsa and Menhadens It includes many of the most important Food fishes Scombridae is the family of the Mackerels Tunas and Bonitos and thus includes many of the most important and familiar Food fishes The weakfish, Cynoscion regalis, is a marine Fish of the drum family Sciaenidae. Sciaenidae is a family of Fish commonly called drums, croakers, or hardheads for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds The grunts are a family Haemulidae, of fishes in the order Perciformes. The anchovies are a family ( Engraulidae) of small common salt-water fish True shrimp are swimming decapod Crustaceans classified in the Infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh Squid are marine Cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species They should be handled with care due to their ability to snap at an unwary hand. In July 2006, a 7 year-old girl was attacked on a beach, near the Spanish town of Alicante, allegedly by a bluefish. July 2006 was a month with thirty-one days The following events also occurred during the month ||-||} Alicante ( Spanish language) or Alacant ( Valencian) is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the [2]
Bluefish are cannibalistic. Cannibalism is the act of one individual of a species consuming all or part of another individual of the same species as food For this reason, bluefish tend to swim in schools of similarly-sized specimens.
Gear and methods
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Bluefish are an important recreational and commercial fish. Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient Angling method most renowned as a method for catching Trout and Salmon, but employed today for a wide variety of The bluefish ( Pomatomus saltatrix) called tailor in Australia, is a species of popular marine game- Fish found in all climates The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, (sometimes called the eastern brook trout, Adirondack coaster lake trout) is a Species of Fish "Calico Bass" redirects here For the marine fish see Kelp Bass. The taimen ( Hucho taimen) also known as Siberian taimen and Siberian salmon, is a Species of Fish in the Salmon The largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides) is a Species of Fish in the sunfish family. The northern pike (known as the pike in Britain Esox lucius, is a Species of carnivorous Fish of the genus Esox (the pikes Peacock bass is the common name in English for several Species of Tropical, Freshwater fish of the Genus Cichla The shoal bass ( Micropterus cataractae) is a Species of Freshwater Fish in the sunfish family ( Centrarchidae) of The smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieui) is a Species of Freshwater Fish in the sunfish family ( Centrarchidae) The American shad or Atlantic shad, Alosa sapidissima, is a Species of Anadromous Fish in family Clupeidae For the computer security term see Phishing. Fishing is the activity of catching Fish.
Sport fishing
Sport fishermen prize bluefish for their fighting ability and cooperativeness. When hooked, bluefish display their dogged strength by making numerous fast runs and an average of 5 acrobatic leaps.
Baits
Bluefish eagerly take a wide variety of fresh baits. Live or cut menhaden, mullet, mackerel, spearing, killifish, eels, squid, shrimp, ladyfish pieces, bunker or similar baitfish are all productive, especially when matched to whatever bluefish may be primarily feeding on at the time. There are other meanings of the word Mullet. There are other fishes called 'mullets' notably the Red mullets ' Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of Fish, mostly but not exclusively from the family Scombridae. A killifish is any of various tiny Oviparous (egg-laying cyprinodontiform fish (including families Aplocheilidae, Cyprinodontidae, Squid are marine Cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species True shrimp are swimming decapod Crustaceans classified in the Infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh The Spanish hogfish ( Bodianus rufus) is also sometimes known as "ladyfish" Bluefish eagerly take artificial baits as well. Either trolled or cast with a fast retrieve, shiny spoons and the full range of bright-colored plugs, jigs, plus fluorescent-colored tube lures are all effective. A spoon lure is in terms of Sport fishing an oblong concave Metal piece resembling a Spoon. Plugs are a popular type of hard-bodied Fishing lure. They are widely known by a number of other names depending on the country and region Noisy surface lures at dawn or dusk near a sharp dropoff or in shallow water are also productive, which many fisherman find adds to the excitement as a bluefish attacks their lure on the surface.
Bluefish will occasionally "skyrocket"--leap out of the water before landing on and attacking a top water lure or live bait fished at the surface--a spectacular sight for most fishermen.
Little skill is needed to hook a bluefish when a school is in a feeding frenzy. They will ravenously strike any natural bait or shiny lure--even a shiny coin tossed into their midst.
Tackle
Bluefish are known to hit just about anything.
Medium-light to medium weight spinning or bait-casting rigs are standard. 8 to 12 pound test line is common when targeting bluefish in the 1 to 3 pound range, while 20 pound test and matched tackle may be the choice when targeting larger specimens, such as pictured above.
Fishermen typically present natural baits on a size 3/0 or 4/0 hook, sometimes followed by a smaller "stinger" hook. These are attached to wire tippets about 6 inches long, which are attached either by swivel or Albright Special to 3 to 5 feet of 50 to 80 pound monofilament leader. A swivel is a connection that allows the connected object such as a gun or Chair to rotate horizontally and/or vertically The Albright special or Albright knot is a Knot (properly a bend) used in angling. Larger hooks are appropriate for larger baits and bluefish. Some fishermen instead choose only a heavy monofilimant leader attached to a long-shank hook, which usually avoids the bluefish's sharp teeth. Artificial lures are presented on similar leader arrangements. Steel leaders are a benefit since their razor sharp teeth will cleanly snip through any normal fishing line.
Some adventuresome anglers target bluefish with flyrods tipped with large, brightly-colored and tinsel-lined streamers or surface poppers. Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient Angling method most renowned as a method for catching Trout and Salmon, but employed today for a wide variety of Artificial fly is an Angling term closely associated with the sport of Fly fishing although artificial flies may be used in other forms of angling Due to their schooling and ravenous feeding habits, bluefish are among the easier ocean-faring targets for those trying their hand at heavy fly tackle. In South Africa, this fish is commonly caught on a bare hook as the shining action in the water attracts these sportfish.
Commercial fishing
Commercial fishermen take bluefish in the one to two pound range. Steel leaders are a must since their razor sharp teeth will cleanly snip through any normal fishing line .
Edibility
Although a commercially important fish, bluefish are somewhat oily and strong flavored. To minimize this and any "fishy" taste, they should be gutted, iced promptly, and eaten fresh. If the fish is not quickly taken care of in this way, the meat will rapidly deteriorate, becoming soft and mushy and assuming a steadily greyer pigmentation. Younger bluefish are actually the best for eating. Whatever the size, fishermen will sometimes slit the throat of a just-caught bluefish to allow them to bleed out. Additionally, the fillets are often skinned and the dark red meat on the skin-side and along the lateral line, which is more strongly flavored, is often filleted out, leaving only the white, slightly gray-blue hued flesh behind. In Fish, the lateral line is a Sense organ used to detect movement and vibration in the surrounding water Bluefish lends itself to the full range of culinary preparation methods, plus they are often smoked, particularly larger specimens. Culinary art is the Art of Cooking. The word "culinary" is defined as something related to or connected with cooking or Kitchens A culinarian
As a migratory fish near the top of the food chain, bluefish can accumulate many toxins in their system ranging from PCBs to mercury. Polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCB s are a class of Organic compounds with 1 to 10 Chlorine atoms attached to Biphenyl which is a molecule composed Mercury (ˈmɜrkjʊri also called quicksilver or hydrargyrum, is a Chemical element with the symbol Hg ( Latinized hydrargyrum As with most fish of such nature, they should not be consumed by pregnant or nursing women, or children under 6.
Other uses
Bluefish are often caught and used as live bait for tuna, shark, or billfish. Tuna, are several Species of ocean-dwelling Fish in the family Scombridae, mostly in the genus Thunnus. Sharks ( Superorder Selachimorpha) are a type of Fish with a full cartilaginous Skeleton and a highly streamlined body The term billfish is applied to a number of different large predatory fish characterised by their large size (swordfish can be over 4 metres long and their long sword-like bill
Similar Species
Bluefish are the only members now included in the Pomatomidae family. At one time, gnomefishes were once included but these are now in grouped in a separate family, Scombropidae. The gnomefishes are a small family Scombropidae of marine Fish, consisting of three species in the genus Scombrops. The gnomefishes are a small family Scombropidae of marine Fish, consisting of three species in the genus Scombrops.
References
- "Pomatomus saltatrix". FishBase. FishBase is a comprehensive Database of information about Fish. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. March 2006 version. N. p. : FishBase, 2006.
- Pomatomus saltatrix (TSN 168559). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the Taxonomy of biological Species Retrieved on 30 January 2006. Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ CAAB taxon report for Pomatomus saltatrix at the CSIRO
- ^ "Un depredador rápido y muy voraz con dientes de sierra (in Spanish)" El País, July 14,2006
External links
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation ( CSIRO) is the national government body for scientific research in Australia.
Dictionary
bluefish
-noun
- A voracious fish, of the genus Pomatomus, found in waters of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean
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