Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Cichliformes
- Family
- Carangidae
- Genus
- Selene
- Species
- vomer
Habitat
Lookdowns inhabit coastal waters, including bays, estuaries, and shallow reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Brazil. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms and are often found in depths up to 100 meters. These fish tolerate a range of salinities, from full seawater to brackish environments.
Diet
Lookdowns primarily eat small fish, shrimp, crabs, and other invertebrates. They are opportunistic predators that feed by swimming in schools and ambushing prey, often during daylight hours. Feeding activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon when prey is most abundant.
Behavior
Lookdowns are highly schooling fish, forming large groups that provide protection from predators through synchronized swimming. They are diurnal, active during the day and resting at night on the ocean floor. These fish exhibit reflective behaviors, using their shiny scales to confuse predators, and they are not particularly territorial.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.