Overview
There are six species of ladyfish inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters all over world.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Elopidae
- Genus
- Elops
- Species
- saurus
Habitat
They are inshore species that are commonly found in estuaries, coastal lagoons, hypersaline bays, along shorlines, and even venture far up coastal streams.
Diet
Ladyfish primarily feed on small fish such as anchovies and menhaden, as well as shrimp and other crustaceans. They are active predators that hunt in schools, using ambush tactics to capture prey. Feeding often occurs during dawn and dusk when visibility is low.
Behavior
Ladyfish are schooling fish that form large groups for feeding and protection, making them highly social in their interactions. They are diurnal, most active during the day, and exhibit acrobatic jumping behavior when hooked, which is a notable evasion tactic. They migrate seasonally to follow food sources and can be territorial in specific estuarine habitats.
Fishing
No matter where they are, ladyfish are one of the most dependable targets for fly-fishing and light tackle, putting up a fight disproportionate to their size. When hooked, ladyfish will often make a fast run and wildly leap into the air, this acrobatic display has earned them the name “poor man’s tarpon.” Shrimp, cutbait, small jigs, plugs, spoons or streamer flies can used to catch ladyfish, but they will strike almost any appropriately sized offering. A small commercial market for ladyfish exists in some areas, mainly for bait as they are considered second rate food.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.