Elops saurus

ladyfish

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Type Locality

Etymology/Derivation of Scientific Name

Synonymy

Characters

Maximum size:  

Coloration:

Teeth count:

Counts: Anal fin rays 13-18 (Ross 2001). 21-25 dorsal rays, SC 103-120 (Hoese and Moore 1977).

Body shape: Body more rounded (Ross 2001).

Mouth position: Terminal (Hubbs et al 1991)

External morphology: Last dorsal fin ray not elongated (Hubbs et al 1991). Psuedobranch well developed (Ross 2001).

Distribution (Native and Introduced)

U.S. distribution: Coastal inhabitant occurring throughout the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil (Hubbs et al 1991)

Texas distribution: Inhabits most of the bays and estuaries of the state; specimens also found in the lower reaches of coastal streams (Hubbs et al 1991)

Abundance/Conservation status (Federal, State, NGO)

Habitat Associations

Macrohabitat:

Mesohabitat:

Biology

Spawning season:

Spawning location:

Reproductive strategy:

Fecundity:

Age at maturation: 

Migration: 

Longevity:

Food habits: 

Growth:

Phylogeny and morphologically similar fishes

The ladyfish is a member of Elopidae, a primitive family of bony fishes, along with the tarpon (also known as silver kings. Both of these fish produce elongate, transparent larva called leptacephalus, a larval type that is characteristic of eels, indicating a close relationship between these otherwise dissimilar fishes (Hildebrand 1963).

Host Records

Commercial or Environmental Importance

References

Hubbs, C., R. J. Edwards, and G. P. Garrett. 1991. An annotated checklist of the freshwater fishes of Texas, with keys to identification of species. Texas Journal of Science, Supplement 43(4):1-56.

Ross, S. T. 2001. The Inland Fishes of Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi 624 pp.

Hoese, H. D. and R. H. Moore. 1977. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico: Texas, Louisiana, and Adjacent Waters. Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 327 pp.

Hildebrand, S. F. 1963. Families Elopidae and Albulidae. In: Fishes of the western North Atlantic. Sears Fount. Mar. Res. Mem. no. 1, pt. 3, pp. 11-147.