Atlantic butterfish
📖 Overview
Forms large schools over the continental shelf, except during the winter months when it may descend to deeper water. Juveniles are generally found under floating weeds and jellyfish. Often found in brackish waters . Nerito-pelagic . Adults feeds mainly on jellyfish , squids, arrow worms, crustaceans and worms . Marketed fresh, smoked and frozen; eaten fried, broiled and baked . Mostly frozen and exported to Japan.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Anal spines: 3. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body oval to somewhat elongate, moderately deep (its depth 2.7 to 3 times in total length) and strongly compressed; eye medium-sized (its diameter 3.4 to 3.7 times in head length), surrounded by a small area of adipose tissue; snout short and blunt, lower jaw projecting somewhat beyond upper; mouth small, tip of maxillary not reaching to anterior eye margin; teeth in jaws very small, in a single row, while those in the upper jaw flattened and with 3 tiny cusps; dorsal and anal-fin bases very long (about equal in length), the anterior fin rays elevated, but fins not falcate, and both fins preceded by 3 short, weak, spines; caudal fin deeply forked; pectoral fins long (longer than head) and pointed; pelvic fins absent; a conspicuous series of 17 to 25 pores along anterior half of body under dorsal fin; lateral line high, following dorsal profile; scales small, present also on cheeks; caudal vertebrae 17 to 20; body color pale blue above, silvery below; numerous irregular dark spots on sides in live fish (fading after death) .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Atlantic butterfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Also Ref. 101194.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; oceanodromous ; depth range 15 - 420 m , usually ? - 55 m . Subtropical; 62°N - 26°N, 87°W - 52°W
🌿 Ecology
jellyfish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Atlantic butterfish 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 | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 509 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Atlantic butterfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | American Butterfish · Atlantic Butterfish · Butterfish · Dollar Fish · Pumpkin Scad · Sheephead · dollarfish · pumkin-seed · shiner |
| 🌍CES | pestroun zářivý |
| 🇫🇷French | stromatée à fossettes |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | バターフィッシュ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Pampo-do-Atlântico |
| 🇷🇺Russian | американская масляная рыба |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | palometa estrecha · palometa pintada |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poronotus triacanthus | Peck | 1804 | Synonym |
| Rhombus cryptosus | Mitchill | 1814 | Synonym |
| Rhombus triacanthus | Peck | 1804 | Synonym |
| Stromateus cryptosus | Mitchill | 1814 | Synonym |
| Stromateus triacanthus | Peck | 1804 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 249 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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