BLUEFISH
How to identify a Bluefish
The bluefish is the only member of the family Pomatomidae. The mouth has extremely sharp teeth. The existence of a spine in the second dorsal fin, the absence of head markings, and the lack of an interspace between the dorsal fins distinguish the bluefish from the similar looking greater amberjack. The bluefish’s lack of finlets immediately distinguishes it from the mackerels.The voracious bluefish richly deserves the nicknames marine piranha and chopper because it swims in large schools through shoals of bait fish, slashing and destroying everything in its path. They will bite anything, including unlucky swimmers. Bluefish can easily inflict serious wounds even when the fish is out of water; as many a careless fishermen has learned.
Where to catch Bluefish
The bluefish is found worldwide, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas, in temperate to tropical waters, although sporadic in occurrence and location.
IDENTIFICATION
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The mouth has extremely sharp teeth |
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A spine in the second dorsal fin, the absence of head markings, and the lack of an interspace between the dorsal fins |
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Coloration is a grayish blue-green dorsally, fading to white on the lower sides and belly |
TARGET AREAS
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Acknowledgements: We thank TAKEMEFISHING.org (www.takemefishing.org), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources for their contributions to these FISH FACTS.
