Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Body elongate and strongly compressed (depth from 3.5 to 4.4 times in standard length); posterior end of upper jaw reaching posterior rim of eye; upper jaw teeth small and villiform; lower branch of first gill arch with 14 to 18 gill rakers; scales small but visible, needle-shaped, embedded in the skin; back blue green; flanks and belly silvery to white, sometimes with yellow or golden highlights; pectoral and caudal fins yellowish (Ref. 55763); Dorsal fin has 5 nearly separate spines.
- Recorder
- Grace Tolentino Pablico
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Caligus Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 21; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Analsoft rays: 18 - 21
- Recorder
- Grace Tolentino Pablico
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Found inshore, usually along sandy beaches, in bays and inlets (Ref. 9283). Enters estuaries and freshwater (Ref. 9283). Prefers turbid water (Ref. 9283). Occurs in schools, usually large and fast moving, often leaping out of the water (Ref. 9283). Juveniles may float at the surface with tail bent and head down. Feeds on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 9283). Its dorsal and anal spines are connected to venomous glands that can inflict painful wounds (Ref. 9283).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Adults are found inshore, usually along sandy beaches, in bays and inlets. They enter estuaries and fresh water, preferring turbid water. They occur in schools, usually large and fast moving, often leaping out of the water. Juveniles may float at the surface with tail bent and head down. Adults feed on fishes and crustaceans. The dorsal and anal spines are connected to venomous glands that can inflict painful wounds (Ref. 9283). Venom glands were not visible however, and cannot be confirmed in the specimen according to Smith and Wheeler, 2006 (Ref. 57406). Current information for this species as being dangerous need verification. Juveniles have incisor-like outer teeth and serve as cleaners for other fish; as fish grow, their teeth become conical and their diet changes (Ref. 26938). Marketed fresh and salted or dried but the flesh is not highly esteemed (Ref. 9283).
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: occasionally; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family
Leatherjacket fish
provided by wikipedia EN
The leatherjacket fish (Oligoplites saurus), also known as leather jack, is a species of jack in the family Carangidae.[4] Leather jack may also refer to other members of the Carangidae, such as the pilot fish. The largest are about a foot long.[5]
Distribution
There are two subspecies of Oligoplites saurus. The nominate subspecies O.s. saurus is distributed in the western Atlantic Ocean from Chatham, Massachusetts south along the U.S. coast, throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, and along the South American coast to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The other subspecies O. s. inornatus is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from southern Baja California, much of the Gulf of California to Ecuador, including the Galapagos and Malpelo Islands.[1]
Feeding
It voraciously devours small fish and shrimp, often in company with larger predatory species. Leatherjackets feed on small fish including the silver perch.
As food
Traditionally, the leather jacket has not been eaten, but recently, with large-scale farming of the fish, it has become common at market. The fish has a mild, oily taste similar to Spanish mackerel or bluefish.
It has occasionally been the prey to blue swimmer crab, as juvenile fish in sea grass beds.
References
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^ a b Smith-Vaniz, W.F.; Williams, J.T.; Pina Amargos, F.; Curtis, M.; Brown, J.; Vega-Cendejas, M. (2019). "Oligoplites saurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T183364A86338645. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T183364A86338645.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Oligoplites saurus" in FishBase. August 2019 version.
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^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Oligoplites". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
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^ "Oligoplites saurus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 24 January 2006.
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^ "Home". Gulf Of Maine Research Institute. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
Leatherjacket fish: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The leatherjacket fish (Oligoplites saurus), also known as leather jack, is a species of jack in the family Carangidae. Leather jack may also refer to other members of the Carangidae, such as the pilot fish. The largest are about a foot long.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Distribution
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Western Atlantic: Maine, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Uruguay
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
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- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
Habitat
provided by World Register of Marine Species
nektonic
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
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- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
