Elopidae

The Spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus) is also sometimes known as "ladyfish".

Ladyfishes and tenpounders Fossil range: Early Cretaceous–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Elopiformes Family: Elopidae Genus: Elops Linnaeus, 1766
Species
Elops affinis Elops hawaiensis Elops lacerta Elops machnata Elops saurus Elops senegalensis

Elopidae is a family of ray-finned fish containing the single genus Elops. They are commonly known as ladyfishes, skipjacks, Jack-Rashes, or tenpounders.

The ladyfish are a coastal dwelling fish found throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions. Spawning takes place at sea and the fish larvae migrate inland entering brackish waters. Their food is smaller fish and crustaceans (shrimp). Typically throughout the species the maximum size is 1 metre (3.3 ft) and the maximum weight 10 kilograms (22 lb). The body is fusiform (tapering spindle shape) and oval in cross-section; being slightly laterally compressed, the eyes are large and partially covered with fatty (adipose) eyelids.

Like those of eels, the larvae are leptocephalic - being highly compressed, ribbon-like and transparent. After initial growth they shrink and then metamorphise into the adult form.

This family is fished, but the body is bony and therefore not edible by humans. However, the fish may be ground down for fish meal.

The name comes from the Greek ellops - a kind of serpent.^[2]

Species

There are six species:^[3]

• Pacific ladyfish, Elops affinis
• Hawaiian ladyfish, Elops hawaiensis, or giant herring.
• West African ladyfish, Elops lacerta, or Guinean ladyfish.
• Tenpounder, Elops machnata.
• Ladyfish, Elops saurus
• Senegalese ladyfish, Elops senegalensis.

References