Leerfish (Lichia amia)

Scientific name: Lichia amia Linnaeus, 1758

The Leerfish (Lichia amia) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae. Native range: Eastern Atlantic, southern Bay of Biscay to South Africa, including the Mediterranean. Western Indian Ocean: South Africa to Delagoa Bay, Louren?o Marques.

Biology

Occasionally entering lower reaches of Kunene and Orange Rivers. Found in coastal waters including estuaries. Feed mainly on fish; juveniles prefer crustaceans. Eggs are pelagic. Popular game fish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Lichia amia
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 200
Common length: 100.0
Depth range: 0–50 m (0–164 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous; depth range 0 - 50 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: southern Bay of Biscay to South Africa, including the Mediterranean. Western Indian Ocean: South Africa to Delagoa Bay, Louren?o Marques.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=2)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026