Scientific Name
Peprilus triacanthus

Common Name
Atlantic butterfish

Biology
Forms large schools over the continental shelf, except during the winter months when it may descend to deeper water. Juveniles are generally found under floating weeds and jellyfish. Often found in brackish waters (Ref. 26938). Nerito-pelagic (Ref. 58426). Adults feeds mainly on jellyfish (Ref. 26938), squids, arrow worms, crustaceans and worms (Ref. 58426). Marketed fresh, smoked and frozen; eaten fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9988). Mostly frozen and exported to Japan.

Classification

Classified By

Peck, 1804

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Butterfishes (Stromateidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: eastern Newfoundland and Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada to Palm Beach, eastern Florida, USA. Also in the Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 2702). Absent in Bermuda or Caribbean (Ref. 26938).

Range

54°N - 22°N

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

15 m

Depth To - meters

420 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 15 - 420 m (Ref. 58426), usually ? - 55 m (Ref. 53006)

Trophic Level

3.97 s.e. 0.34 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

30.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (19 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.8(?); tm=1)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated