Schooling
This Strategy to Survive is well known. Cluster together with a thousand friends and it is less likely that a predator will be able to single you out for dinner. Predators also school. The bay can be a murky place to hunt and many large fish use sight to find their food. Being in a group allows for more eyes to see where that food might be hiding.
Ever wonder how fish do not ram each other when schooling? Located along the side of most fish is a structure called the lateral line. This sensory organ operates by detecting pressure changes and fine movements in the water. As a fast swimming fish approaches another, the pressure changes alert each animal to the other's proximity and they are quickly able to adjust speed and trajectory to avoid collisions. It is a sixth sense that we do not have - awesome!
Only a select few species are on exhibit at any time, though all are representative of Schooling adaptations.
Ever wonder how fish do not ram each other when schooling? Located along the side of most fish is a structure called the lateral line. This sensory organ operates by detecting pressure changes and fine movements in the water. As a fast swimming fish approaches another, the pressure changes alert each animal to the other's proximity and they are quickly able to adjust speed and trajectory to avoid collisions. It is a sixth sense that we do not have - awesome!
Only a select few species are on exhibit at any time, though all are representative of Schooling adaptations.
American butterfish
Scientific name:
Peprilus triacanthus
Habitat: 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
Key characteristics for distinction: 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
Coloration: body color pale blue above, silvery below; numerous irregular dark spots on sides in live fish
Feeding habits/specializations: Adults feeds mainly on jellyfish, squids, arrow worms, crustaceans and worms
Reproduction: external fertilization, nonguarders
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 12 in
Predators: sharks, rays, larger fish
Importance to humans: fishing/gamefish
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Also called Atlantic butterfish
Sources: fishbase.org
Key characteristics for distinction: 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
Coloration: body color pale blue above, silvery below; numerous irregular dark spots on sides in live fish
Feeding habits/specializations: Adults feeds mainly on jellyfish, squids, arrow worms, crustaceans and worms
Reproduction: external fertilization, nonguarders
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 12 in
Predators: sharks, rays, larger fish
Importance to humans: fishing/gamefish
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Also called Atlantic butterfish
Sources: fishbase.org
American shad
Scientific name:
Alosa sapidissima
Habitat: Spend most of its life at sea, returning to freshwater streams to breed. Non-spawning adults are found in schools near the surface of continental shelf waters in spring, summer and fall; also found in brackish waters.
Key characteristics for distinction: Moderately compressed, belly with a distinct keel. Lower jaw not rising steeply within mouth. Gill rakers long and slender (fewer in young). A dark spot on shoulder, sometimes followed by several more, or even a second row.
Coloration: Silvery, with a green or bluish back.
Feeding habits/specializations: Feed on plankton, mainly copepods and mysids, occasionally on small fishes. Feeding ceases during upstream spawning migration and resumes during the downstream post-spawning migration.
Reproduction: Shad are anadromous, which means they live in the ocean but spawn in freshwater rivers and streams. In spring, adults migrate to the waterway in which they were born to spawn. Females lay 100,000 to 600,000 eggs over the course of several days. Eggs drift downstream and hatch in seven to 10 days. After spawning, adults either die or return to the ocean.
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 30 in
Predators: Predators include bears, birds and large fish like striped bass, smallmouth bass, blue fish and channel catfish
Importance to humans: fishing/gamefish
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Females lay 100,000 to 600,000 eggs over the course of several days.
Sources: fishbase.org, chesapeakebay.net
Key characteristics for distinction: Moderately compressed, belly with a distinct keel. Lower jaw not rising steeply within mouth. Gill rakers long and slender (fewer in young). A dark spot on shoulder, sometimes followed by several more, or even a second row.
Coloration: Silvery, with a green or bluish back.
Feeding habits/specializations: Feed on plankton, mainly copepods and mysids, occasionally on small fishes. Feeding ceases during upstream spawning migration and resumes during the downstream post-spawning migration.
Reproduction: Shad are anadromous, which means they live in the ocean but spawn in freshwater rivers and streams. In spring, adults migrate to the waterway in which they were born to spawn. Females lay 100,000 to 600,000 eggs over the course of several days. Eggs drift downstream and hatch in seven to 10 days. After spawning, adults either die or return to the ocean.
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 30 in
Predators: Predators include bears, birds and large fish like striped bass, smallmouth bass, blue fish and channel catfish
Importance to humans: fishing/gamefish
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Females lay 100,000 to 600,000 eggs over the course of several days.
Sources: fishbase.org, chesapeakebay.net
Atlantic bumper
Scientific name: Chloroscrombrus chrysurus
Habitat: Adults are found over soft bottoms of the continental shelf; sometimes forming schools near the surface.
Key characteristics for distinction: Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-28; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 25-28. Lower profile more strongly curved than upper.
Coloration: Metallic blue above, silvery below; caudal peduncle with black saddle spot
Feeding habits/specializations: They feed on fish, cephalopods, zooplankton and detritus.
Reproduction: external, nonguarders, open water/substratum egg scatterers
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 26 in
Predators: Atlantic spotted dolphin, larger fish
Importance to humans: fishing/commercial
Conservation status: not evaluated
Sources: fishbase.org
Key characteristics for distinction: Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-28; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 25-28. Lower profile more strongly curved than upper.
Coloration: Metallic blue above, silvery below; caudal peduncle with black saddle spot
Feeding habits/specializations: They feed on fish, cephalopods, zooplankton and detritus.
Reproduction: external, nonguarders, open water/substratum egg scatterers
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 26 in
Predators: Atlantic spotted dolphin, larger fish
Importance to humans: fishing/commercial
Conservation status: not evaluated
Sources: fishbase.org
Atlantic silverside
Scientific name:
Menidia menidia
Habitat: Marine: brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous. The Atlantic silverside’s habitat is generally near the water’s edge. They are mostly found swimming in brackish waters, such as in the mouths of rivers and streams that connect to the ocean. These small schooling fish have been seen to gather in seagrass beds, which can harbor the nearly defenselss fish some form of shelter from predation as well as provide safe haven for spawning. During winter, most Atlantic silversides swim in deeper water to avoid cold/low temperature. During the summer, most are found in the shallows along the shoreline.
Key characteristics for distinction: anal soft rays 23-26, long slender body
Coloration: mostly silver and white
Feeding habits/specializations: Adults feed on copepods, mysids, shrimps, small squids and marine worms; also eggs of their own species
Reproduction: Oviparous, eggs are deposited on the substrate during a spawning run along the shore
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 6 in
Predators: Preyed upon by striped bass and bluefish (chief predators); shore birds
Importance to humans: minor commercial, used as bait
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: They are a common subject of scientific research because of their sensitivity to environmental changes.
Sources: fishbase.org, Wikipedia.org
Key characteristics for distinction: anal soft rays 23-26, long slender body
Coloration: mostly silver and white
Feeding habits/specializations: Adults feed on copepods, mysids, shrimps, small squids and marine worms; also eggs of their own species
Reproduction: Oviparous, eggs are deposited on the substrate during a spawning run along the shore
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 6 in
Predators: Preyed upon by striped bass and bluefish (chief predators); shore birds
Importance to humans: minor commercial, used as bait
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: They are a common subject of scientific research because of their sensitivity to environmental changes.
Sources: fishbase.org, Wikipedia.org
Bigeye scad
Scientific name:
Selar crumenophthalmus
Habitat: Adults prefer clear oceanic waters around islands to neritic waters. Occasionally in turbid waters. Individuals travel in compact groups of hundreds of thousands of fish.
Key characteristics for distinction: Body elongate, fusiform, moderately compressed; eye covered with fatty eyelid, with vertical slit in center; margin of bone at rear end of gill chamber with 2 papillae, 1 small one at top, 1 large one at bottom, bottom one with large notch below it; gill rakers 9-12 + 27-37; dorsal rays VIII+I, 24-27, 2 fins close together, no free spines at front; anal rays II free spines +I, 21-23; no isolated finlets after dorsal & anal fins; pectoral longer than head; lateral line extension to nape ends before origin of dorsal fin; front curved part of lateral line with a long, low arch, straight part with 0-11 scales and 29-42 scutes; body more or less covered with small scales.
Coloration: blue-green or green on its back and sides and white on the underside
Feeding habits/specializations: Mainly nocturnal in habit, they disperse at night to feed on small shrimps, benthic invertebrates, and forams when inshore, and zooplankton and fish larvae when offshore.
Reproduction: nonguarders, open water/egg scatterers
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 27.5 in
Predators: sea birds, larger fish
Importance to humans: fishing/commercial/gamefish/bait
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Sources: fishbase.org, eol.org
Key characteristics for distinction: Body elongate, fusiform, moderately compressed; eye covered with fatty eyelid, with vertical slit in center; margin of bone at rear end of gill chamber with 2 papillae, 1 small one at top, 1 large one at bottom, bottom one with large notch below it; gill rakers 9-12 + 27-37; dorsal rays VIII+I, 24-27, 2 fins close together, no free spines at front; anal rays II free spines +I, 21-23; no isolated finlets after dorsal & anal fins; pectoral longer than head; lateral line extension to nape ends before origin of dorsal fin; front curved part of lateral line with a long, low arch, straight part with 0-11 scales and 29-42 scutes; body more or less covered with small scales.
Coloration: blue-green or green on its back and sides and white on the underside
Feeding habits/specializations: Mainly nocturnal in habit, they disperse at night to feed on small shrimps, benthic invertebrates, and forams when inshore, and zooplankton and fish larvae when offshore.
Reproduction: nonguarders, open water/egg scatterers
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 27.5 in
Predators: sea birds, larger fish
Importance to humans: fishing/commercial/gamefish/bait
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Sources: fishbase.org, eol.org
Harvestfish
Scientific name:
Peprilus alepidotus
(now named Peprilus paru)
Habitat: A pelagic fish forming large schools in coastal bays, inshore waters over the continental shelf and around islands at moderate depths (50 to 70 m) where it occurs throughout the year.
Key characteristics for distinction: This species is distinguished by the following characters: body very deep (its depth 1.6 to 1.8 in total length), bounded by even curves and strongly compressed; snout short and blunt, about equal to eye diameter; mouth small, tip of maxillary just reaching to below eye margin; teeth in jaws weak, in 1 row, those in the upper jaw slightly recurved, simple and pointed; dorsal and anal fin bases very long (about equal in length), both fins falcate, the length of their longest rays greater than head and preceded by 3 weak spines; caudal fin stiff and deeply forked, both its lobes longer than head; pectoral fins narrow and much longer than head; pelvic fins absent; no conspicuous series of pores below dorsal fin; lateral line high, following dorsal profile; scales small and easily detached, extending to cheeks and bases of vertical fins.
Coloration: body color pale blue to green above, silvery with a golden/yellow tinge below
Feeding habits/specializations: Adults feed mainly on jellyfish, small fish, crustaceans and worms while juveniles are plankton feeders. They are known for their habit of swimming under certain species of jellyfishes, where they find shelter and perhaps a food supply of small invertebrates that have become entangled in the tentacles, but they are also subject to fatal stings inflicted by these tentacles.
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 12 in
Predators: larger fish
Importance to humans: minor commercial
Conservation status: least concern
Fun fact: Also known as star butter fish or butterfish.
Sources: fishbase.org
Key characteristics for distinction: This species is distinguished by the following characters: body very deep (its depth 1.6 to 1.8 in total length), bounded by even curves and strongly compressed; snout short and blunt, about equal to eye diameter; mouth small, tip of maxillary just reaching to below eye margin; teeth in jaws weak, in 1 row, those in the upper jaw slightly recurved, simple and pointed; dorsal and anal fin bases very long (about equal in length), both fins falcate, the length of their longest rays greater than head and preceded by 3 weak spines; caudal fin stiff and deeply forked, both its lobes longer than head; pectoral fins narrow and much longer than head; pelvic fins absent; no conspicuous series of pores below dorsal fin; lateral line high, following dorsal profile; scales small and easily detached, extending to cheeks and bases of vertical fins.
Coloration: body color pale blue to green above, silvery with a golden/yellow tinge below
Feeding habits/specializations: Adults feed mainly on jellyfish, small fish, crustaceans and worms while juveniles are plankton feeders. They are known for their habit of swimming under certain species of jellyfishes, where they find shelter and perhaps a food supply of small invertebrates that have become entangled in the tentacles, but they are also subject to fatal stings inflicted by these tentacles.
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 12 in
Predators: larger fish
Importance to humans: minor commercial
Conservation status: least concern
Fun fact: Also known as star butter fish or butterfish.
Sources: fishbase.org
Hickory shad
Scientific name:
Alosa mediocris
Habitat: Schools of adults are found in marine waters, along the coast; also estuaries, tidal rivers and tributaries during late spring and early summer.
Key characteristics for distinction: Belly with distinct keel of scutes. Lower jaw very prominent, but not rising steeply within mouth; teeth reduced or in upper jaw absent in fishes over 9 in standard length. A dark spot on shoulder, several obscure dark spots along flank (sometimes missing).
Coloration: Silvery, with a dark grayish green back.
Feeding habits/specializations: Feed on small fishes, also squid, small crabs and other crustaceans, as well as fish eggs.
Reproduction: Shad are anadromous, meaning they live in the ocean and spawn in freshwater rivers. From May-early June, migrates to the tidal freshwater river where it was born to spawn. Spawning takes place between dusk and midnight. After spawning, adults either die or return to the ocean.
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 24 in
Predators: larger fish such as bluefish and striped bass
Importance to humans: minor commercial
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Can be confused with American shad and other alosids. You can distinguish a hickory shad by its strongly projecting lower jaw.
Sources: fishbase.org, chesapeakbay.net
Key characteristics for distinction: Belly with distinct keel of scutes. Lower jaw very prominent, but not rising steeply within mouth; teeth reduced or in upper jaw absent in fishes over 9 in standard length. A dark spot on shoulder, several obscure dark spots along flank (sometimes missing).
Coloration: Silvery, with a dark grayish green back.
Feeding habits/specializations: Feed on small fishes, also squid, small crabs and other crustaceans, as well as fish eggs.
Reproduction: Shad are anadromous, meaning they live in the ocean and spawn in freshwater rivers. From May-early June, migrates to the tidal freshwater river where it was born to spawn. Spawning takes place between dusk and midnight. After spawning, adults either die or return to the ocean.
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 24 in
Predators: larger fish such as bluefish and striped bass
Importance to humans: minor commercial
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Can be confused with American shad and other alosids. You can distinguish a hickory shad by its strongly projecting lower jaw.
Sources: fishbase.org, chesapeakbay.net
Leatherjack (Leatherjacket)
Scientific name:
Oligoplites saurus
Habitat: Adults are found inshore, usually along sandy beaches, in bays and inlets. They enter estuaries and fresh water, preferring turbid water. They occur in schools, usually large and fast moving, often leaping out of the water. Juveniles may float at the surface with tail bent and head down.
Key characteristics for distinction: Body elongate and strongly compressed (depth from 3.5 to 4.4 times in standard length); posterior end of upper jaw reaching posterior rim of eye; upper jaw teeth small and villiform; lower branch of first gill arch with 14 to 18 gill rakers; scales small but visible, needle-shaped, embedded in the skin.
Coloration: back blue green; flanks and belly silvery to white, sometimes with yellow or golden highlights; pectoral and caudal fins yellowish
Feeding habits/specializations: Adults feed on fishes and crustaceans. The dorsal and anal spines are connected to venomous glands that can inflict painful wounds.
Reproduction: open water/egg scatterers, nonguarders
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 14 in
Predators: larger fish including sharks
Importance to humans: minor commercial/gamefish/bait
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Considered to be venomous but little is known about the properties of the venom.
Sources: fishbase.org, flmnh.ufl.edu
Key characteristics for distinction: Body elongate and strongly compressed (depth from 3.5 to 4.4 times in standard length); posterior end of upper jaw reaching posterior rim of eye; upper jaw teeth small and villiform; lower branch of first gill arch with 14 to 18 gill rakers; scales small but visible, needle-shaped, embedded in the skin.
Coloration: back blue green; flanks and belly silvery to white, sometimes with yellow or golden highlights; pectoral and caudal fins yellowish
Feeding habits/specializations: Adults feed on fishes and crustaceans. The dorsal and anal spines are connected to venomous glands that can inflict painful wounds.
Reproduction: open water/egg scatterers, nonguarders
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 14 in
Predators: larger fish including sharks
Importance to humans: minor commercial/gamefish/bait
Conservation status: not evaluated
Fun fact: Considered to be venomous but little is known about the properties of the venom.
Sources: fishbase.org, flmnh.ufl.edu
Rough scad
Scientific name:
Trachurus lathami
Habitat: Adults are benthopelagic over continental shelves. Juveniles associate with the jellyfish Chrysaora lactea in Southwestern Atlantic.
Key characteristics for distinction: Body elongate and slightly compressed; posterior edge of upper jaw reaching to below anterior margin of eye; eye large with a well developed adipose eyelid; shallow furrow on upper margin of shoulder girdle; body except for small part behind pectoral fin covered with small cycloid scales
Coloration: body dark blue dorsally, silver-white ventrally; black blotch on posterior margin of opercle; tip of snout dusky; anterior margin and tip of first dorsal fin dusky, other parts pale; second dorsal fin pale; caudal fin dusky, pectoral and pelvic fins pale
Feeding habits/specializations: small invertebrates
Reproduction: open water/egg scatterers, nonguarders
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 16 in
Predators: Preyed on by juvenile comb grouper (Mycteroperca acutirostris) when protection given by the jellyfish fails; dolphins, larger fish
Importance to humans: commercial fishing
Conservation status: not evaluated
Sources: fishbase.org
Key characteristics for distinction: Body elongate and slightly compressed; posterior edge of upper jaw reaching to below anterior margin of eye; eye large with a well developed adipose eyelid; shallow furrow on upper margin of shoulder girdle; body except for small part behind pectoral fin covered with small cycloid scales
Coloration: body dark blue dorsally, silver-white ventrally; black blotch on posterior margin of opercle; tip of snout dusky; anterior margin and tip of first dorsal fin dusky, other parts pale; second dorsal fin pale; caudal fin dusky, pectoral and pelvic fins pale
Feeding habits/specializations: small invertebrates
Reproduction: open water/egg scatterers, nonguarders
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 16 in
Predators: Preyed on by juvenile comb grouper (Mycteroperca acutirostris) when protection given by the jellyfish fails; dolphins, larger fish
Importance to humans: commercial fishing
Conservation status: not evaluated
Sources: fishbase.org
Rough silverside
Scientific name:
Membras martinica
Habitat: Occurs along shore and in bays and inlets.
Key characteristics for distinction: Body elongate; snout somewhat pointed; mouth oblique; white swimbladder apparent through flesh; 2 dorsal fins, 1st dorsal fin with spines only; pectoral fins sit high on sides of body; pigment on back in parallel rows; scales rough to touch; caudal fin with dusky margin.
Coloration: color pale yellow to off-white, lateral silvery stripe
Feeding habits/specializations: copepods and other planktonic crustaceans
Reproduction: On Gulf coast, ripe between March and August, or September; lull in ripening reported between May and July; eggs are demersal, adhering together in large clusters which are carried inshore to intertidal zone by wave action.
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 5 in
Predators: larger fish like striped bass
Importance to humans: bait fish
Conservation status: least concern
Sources: fishbase.org, txmarspecies.tamug.edu, txstate.fishesoftexas.org
Key characteristics for distinction: Body elongate; snout somewhat pointed; mouth oblique; white swimbladder apparent through flesh; 2 dorsal fins, 1st dorsal fin with spines only; pectoral fins sit high on sides of body; pigment on back in parallel rows; scales rough to touch; caudal fin with dusky margin.
Coloration: color pale yellow to off-white, lateral silvery stripe
Feeding habits/specializations: copepods and other planktonic crustaceans
Reproduction: On Gulf coast, ripe between March and August, or September; lull in ripening reported between May and July; eggs are demersal, adhering together in large clusters which are carried inshore to intertidal zone by wave action.
Maximum length (in inches or feet): 5 in
Predators: larger fish like striped bass
Importance to humans: bait fish
Conservation status: least concern
Sources: fishbase.org, txmarspecies.tamug.edu, txstate.fishesoftexas.org