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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Tropical

Senegalese ladyfish

Elops senegalensis Regan, 1909
Max Length
90 cm
Max Weight
5.9 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
39.00/100
Typical Length
60 cm
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Coastal pelagic species, occurring inshore and some way up the tidal rivers to the edge of the shelf . Feeds on fish and shrimps .

Scientific Name
Elops senegalensis
Authority
Regan, 1909
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
90 cm
Max Weight
5.9 kg
Latitude
7°S – 22°N
Trophic Level
3.6
Vulnerability
39.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Elopiformes
Elopiformes
Family
Elopidae
Elopidae
Genus
Elops
Elops
Species
Senegalese ladyfish
Elops senegalensis

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: Elops senegalensis is often confused with Elops lacerta, from which it is distinguished by a smaller number of gill-rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch, being 11-15 vs. 17-19; and a greater number of small scales in the lateral line, 92-100 vs. 72-83 in E. lacerta . : elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Senegalese ladyfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Senegalese ladyfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Senegalese ladyfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range ? - 50 m . Tropical; 22°N - 7°S, 26°W - 13°E West African coast from Mauritania to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
3.6±0.6
Food Items

fish and shrimps (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00759 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
90cm
Max Weight
5,900g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
39.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
22°N – 7°S
Described By
Regan, 1909

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Senegalese ladyfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 16.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 185 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Senegalese ladyfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Ladyfish · Senegalese Ladyfish
🌍CES elops senegalský
🇵🇹Portuguese Tartão-anão-do-Senegal
🇷🇺Russian Сенегальский элопс

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 669 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Senegalese ladyfish ↗
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