Jack-knifefish (Equetus lanceolatus)

Scientific name: Equetus lanceolatus Linnaeus, 1758

Jack-knifefish (Equetus lanceolatus)

The Jack-knifefish (Equetus lanceolatus) is a marine fish of the family Sciaenidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Bermuda and North Carolina, USA to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 47-55; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 16. Very high first dorsal fin with a short base. Gray with three white-edged dark brown to black bands, the first running vertically through eye, the second from nape across operculum and chest to front of pelvic fins, and the last beginning on first dorsal fin and running to end of caudal fin. Third and widest band from tip of high dorsal fin, curving along length of body to tip of tail.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Equetus lanceolatus
Family
Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
25.0
Common length
15.0
Depth range
10–60 m (33–197 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 60 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Bermuda and North Carolina, USA to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More other marine fish

See all other marine fish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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