African threadfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids African threadfish |
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| Approximate distribution of the African threadfish. Note there is only one record for the Adriatic Sea. | |
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The African threadfish (Alectis alexandrina) is a cool, large fish that lives in the ocean. It's also called the Alexandria pompano. This fish belongs to the jack family, which is known for fast-swimming fish.
You can find the African threadfish along the coast of tropical Africa in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It also swims into the Mediterranean Sea. These fish usually live in waters that are not too deep, often less than 70 meters (about 230 feet) down. They sometimes swim together in small groups.
The African threadfish looks a lot like its close relative, the African pompano. One way to tell them apart is by looking at their head. The African threadfish has a slightly curved-in (concave) head shape. Young African threadfish have long, flowing fins that look like threads, which is how they got their name!
This fish is caught for food by some people, but not a lot. It's also sometimes caught for fun by people who like to fish.
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What's in a Name?
The African threadfish has a scientific name, Alectis alexandrina. Scientists use these special names so everyone around the world knows exactly which animal they are talking about.
Why "African Threadfish"?
The common name "African threadfish" comes from two things. "African" tells us where it mostly lives, near Africa. "Threadfish" describes the long, thin parts of its fins, especially when it's young. These long fins look like flowing threads!
It's also called "Alexandria pompano" because it was first found and described near Alexandria, a city in Egypt.
What Does It Look Like?
The African threadfish has a body shape typical of a large jack fish. It's quite flat from side to side and has a distinct, angular shape.
One of the best ways to identify this fish is by its head. It has a slight curve or dip near its eyes. This small dip helps tell it apart from other similar fish, like the African pompano.
Fins and Body
The top part of the fish's body is more curved than the bottom part. Its body is deepest in the middle, where its main top and bottom fins start.
The fins are important for swimming. The African threadfish has a long, curved side fin called the pectoral fin. Its body looks smooth, but if you look very closely, it has tiny scales that are deep in its skin.
Young African threadfish, and sometimes even adults, have very long, flowing parts on their first top and bottom fins. These are the "threads" that give the fish its name! This fish can grow to be at least 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) long.
Colors
The African threadfish is usually a shiny silver color. It can also have hints of blue and green, especially when it's just been caught. Its fins are usually a pale silvery-green or clear. Young fish might have two dark stripes on their lower bodies.
Where Do They Live?
The African threadfish mostly lives in the warm waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. You can find it along the coast of West Africa, from Morocco all the way down to Angola.
Sometimes, these fish are also seen in the Mediterranean Sea. There's even been one rare sighting as far as the Adriatic Sea!
Their Home in the Ocean
Adult African threadfish usually live alone in coastal waters. They prefer to stay in the deeper parts of the water, down to at least 70 meters (about 230 feet).
Young African threadfish are different. They often float around with ocean currents, sometimes even drifting into areas where rivers meet the sea, called estuarine environments.
What Do They Eat?
Scientists don't know a lot about the daily life of the African threadfish. But we do know what they like to eat! The African threadfish eats squid and other smaller fish.
We don't know much about how they have babies. However, other fish in the same group, like Alectis ciliaris, are known to pair up and then lay their eggs.
African Threadfish and People
The African threadfish is not a major fish for commercial fishing, meaning it's not caught in huge numbers to sell. However, it is important to local fishermen in the areas where it lives.
It's also considered a good game fish, especially the bigger ones. This means people like to catch them for sport or fun. But because they are not very common, anglers (people who fish with a rod and line) don't target them very often.
Even though they aren't caught a lot, African threadfish can sell for a good price at the market. The biggest African threadfish ever caught by an angler weighed about 8.10 kilograms (17 pounds, 13 ounces). It was caught off Morocco in 1993.
See Also
