Lookdown (Selene vomer)

Scientific name: Selene vomer Linnaeus, 1758

The Lookdown (Selene vomer) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 18. Pelvic fin small.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Scientific name: Selene vomer
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 48.3
Common length: 35.0
Depth range: 1–53 m (3–174 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 53 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Canada to Maine to Florida, USA (possibly from Nova Scotia, Canada), along coasts of central and south America to Uruguay, including Bermuda and Gulf of Mexico. Rare in Greater Antilles.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

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

Last updated 27 September 2026