Common names
Tailor, Snapper, Baby blues, Choppers, Elfs, Shad, Skipjack
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
- Saltwater
- Vulnerable
Max length51.25 in
Common length23.5 in
Length typeFork Length
Max weight30 lb 14 oz
Depth range0 - 656 ft
Max age9 years
Water typeSaltwater
Fish info
IUCN Vulnerability status
Short description
Bluefish are moderately proportioned fish, they are blue or blue-green along their back, fading to silver or white along their sides and belly. Bluefish have two dorsal fins, with the second far larger than the first. The spiny first dorsal fin is normally folded back in a groove, as are its pectoral fins. They also have broad forked tails and large mouths with prominent very sharp teeth. They have a black blotch at the base of their pectoral fins. Their scales are small and their lateral line is almost straight.
Habitat
Juveniles are usually found inshore during spring and summer, they prefer sandy ocean bottoms but will also inhabit mud, silt, or clay ocean bottoms or vegetated areas. They move offshore to join adults in fall and winter.
Distribution
Bluefish are widely distributed around the world in tropical and subtropical waters. US: Along the East Coast from Maine to eastern Florida. AUS: Tailor are found from Fraser Island in Queensland around the coast to Point Quobba in Western Australia (including Tasmania). Lower numbers are generally found around southern Australia.
Behaviour
It is a marine pelagic fish, which travels in large schools of similar-sized fish, following schools of baitfish, sometimes cannibalistic, spawning occurs offshore in spring and summer. Adult bluefish are strong and aggressive and live in loose groups. They are fast swimmers that prey on schools of forage fish and continue attacking them in feeding frenzies even after they appear to have eaten their fill. Bluefish migrate seasonally, moving north in spring and summer as water temperatures rise and then south in autumn and winter to waters in the South Atlantic Bight.
Edibility
Bluefish, if treated properly, is excellent, but best eaten as fresh as possible, as it tends to degrade over time and doesn't keep or freeze well. It has a delicate flavor but can be more “fishy” than other types of seafood. May contain elevated mercury levels.
Lure suggestion
Bluefish may be caught from a boat or shore. Anglers use shiny lures and topwater baits. A silver spoon is an excellent lure for bluefish Good bait: Pogies, mackerel, or eels as live baits, also cut bait works.
Similar species
Other similar species
No close resemblance, but frequently called Angelfish by mistake