Common names
Flasher, Steamboat
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis
- Saltwater
- Least concern
Max length43.25 in
Common length31.5 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight41 lb 14 oz
Depth range0 - 230 ft
Water typeSaltwater
Water temperature64 - 84 °F
Fish info
IUCN Vulnerability status
Short description
Tripletail are odd-looking, deep-bodied fish with the soft rays of the dorsal and anal fins set well back toward the caudal fin giving them an illusion of three tails. Colouration can vary from almost black through reddish-bronze to yellow or mottled above and silvery grey below. Pectoral fins are pale yellow, the caudal fin has a yellow margin, and other fins are darker than the body. The head and body typically have blotches of tan to yellow or dark brown. This fish often floats on its side at the water's surface, the colouration and movements resembling that of a dead leaf. They are frequently mistaken for floating debris. Their upper profile is concave at the nape.
Habitat
Found in bays and estuaries to offshore waters. Associate strongly with floating objects such as buoys or channel markers.
Distribution
Tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans. Western Atlantic: New England and Bermuda southward to Argentina; and the Falkland Islands. Eastern Atlantic: from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Gulf of Guinea, including Madeira. Indo-Pacific: East Africa through all countries of Southeast Asia north to Taiwan Province of China and southern Japan, northern Australia to southern Queensland, New Guinea to New Britain, and south to Fiji.
Behaviour
They are opportunistic eaters feeding mostly on small finfish such as gulf menhaden, Atlantic bumpers, and anchovies. They also feed on invertebrates such as blue crabs and brown shrimp, as well as other benthic crustaceans. Spawning primarily occurs in the summer, with peaks during July and August. Large congregations move during the summer months to the inshore and nearshore waters.
Edibility
Excellent, their flesh is firm, flaky and white, considered by many to be equal to or superior to red snapper or grouper.
Lure suggestion
Tripletail will be ready to take lifelike shrimp replicas, bucktail jigs, soft minnows, hard twitch baits, topwater plugs, and also shrimp, squid, and crab flies. Good lures: shrimp (work best), pogie fish, finger mullet, or bull minnows. (any bait fish that is small enough for the tripletail to eat is recommended)