Leerfish
📖 Overview
Marine, coastal pelagic species . Adults are found in coastal waters including estuaries. Occasionally entering lower reaches of rivers like the Kunene and Orange Rivers in Namibia . Juveniles often entering estuaries . Feed mainly on fish; juveniles prefer crustaceans . Eggs are pelagic . Popular game fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 17 - 21. Diagnosis: body elongate, moderately deep and compressed; dorsal profile of head almost straight, ending in a pointed snout; eyes relatively small; upper jaw slender and rounded posteriorly, ending below or beyond posterior eye margin; 2 dorsal fins, 1st with 7 spines with only their bases connected by a membrane, 2nd with 1 spine and 19-21 soft rays; anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 17-21 soft rays; pectoral fins short, comprised 1.5-1.8 times in head length; scales small, those on breast oval to strongly lanceolate, and partially embedded in the skin; lateral line very irregular and wavy, describing a convex curve over, and a concave curve behind pectoral fins; no lateral-line scutes . Brown above, silvery white below lateral line; lobes of dorsal and anal fins black distally; juveniles (to at least 12 cm fork length) with brownish black bars on sides .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Leerfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Leerfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Leerfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 50 m . Subtropical; 47°N - 28°S South Africa, including the Mediterranean.
🌿 Ecology
fish; juveniles prefer crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Leerfish is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 346 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Leerfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Leerfish · Pampano · garrick · leer fish |
| 🌍CES | vidlatka tuňákovitá |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Stor gaffelmakrel |
| 🇩🇪German | Gabelmakrele · Große Gabelmakrele · Lichia · Stachelmakrele |
| 🌍ELL | Λίτσα |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | ahmattipiikkimakrilli |
| 🇫🇷French | Caranga · Fausse Palomète · Grande Liche · Lich Né-bé · Liche · Liche Amie · Liche Vadigo · Lichio · Lichié Amie · Litcha |
| 🌍HEB | אמית ארין |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Cerviola · Gibiola · Leccia · Leccia amica · Lizza · Serrenia · Serretta |
| 🌍MLT | Cervjola · Serra · Serra hoxna · Sirra |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | leervis |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Amia |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Chambré · Colombeta · Colombete · Falsa-palombleta · Palombela · Palombeta |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Лихия · Обыкновенная лихия |
| 🌍SLV | Lica |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Colomida · Dorado · Palometa · Palometon · Palomida · Serviola · Sorell de Peña |
| 🌍SQI | Lojba · glica · lica |
| 🌍SRP | Bilizma bjelica · Lica |
| 🌍TUR | Akya baligi · Iskender baligi · akya |
| 🌍UKR | Ліхія |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 鐮鰭波線鰺 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caesiomorus amia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Campogramma vadigo | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Caranx amia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Centronotus vadigo | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Hypacanthus amia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Hypacantus amia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Hypachantus amia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Porthmeus argenteus | Valenciennes | 1833 | Synonym |
| Scomber amia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Scomber flexuosus | Lichtenstein | 1823 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 17 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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