Bay whiff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bay whiff |
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The bay whiff (Citharichthys spilopterus) is a type of flatfish. It belongs to a group called Paralichthyidae, also known as "left-eye flounders". These fish are very common in the Gulf of Mexico.
Bay whiffs are amazing at hiding! They are bottom-dwelling hunters. This means they live on the seafloor and wait to surprise their prey. They can change their color to blend in perfectly with the sand or mud. They often live alone.
These fish can be light or dark when alive. After they die, they turn brownish. They have two dark spots near their tail and a light spot under their side fin. A typical bay whiff is about 15 cm long. The longest one ever found was 20 cm. They have a straight line along their body, called a lateral line. They also have a big mouth. The gill cover on their "blind" side (the side without an eye) is smooth. Their belly fins are also different sizes.
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What Do Bay Whiffs Eat?
Scientists are still learning a lot about what bay whiffs eat. We know they mostly feed on tiny animals. These include:
- Zooplankton: Small animals that float in the water.
- Zoobenthos: Small creatures that live on the bottom of the sea.
Sometimes, very young bay whiffs have been seen eating other, even smaller bay whiffs.
Where Do Bay Whiffs Live?
Bay whiffs live on the ocean floor in coastal waters. You can find them in depths from about 36 meters (120 feet) to 73 meters (240 feet).
They can handle different amounts of salt in the water. They have been found in areas with very little salt, like near rivers. They also live in very salty ocean waters.
How Bay Whiffs Reproduce
The time when bay whiffs lay their eggs (spawn) changes depending on where they live. This is mostly because of water temperature.
- In Brazil, they spawn from March to May and again in November.
- In North Carolina, they spawn only in February and March.
- In Puerto Rico, they spawn from November to May.
- In Louisiana, they spawn most in winter and spring.
- In Florida, many young bay whiffs are seen in May, suggesting they spawn in spring.
Where Can You Find Bay Whiffs?
Bay whiffs live all along the western Atlantic Ocean. Their range goes from New Jersey down through the Caribbean Sea to Brazil. They are also found throughout the Gulf of Mexico. During warmer months, they often move into bays and shallow waters.
Fish That Look Like Bay Whiffs
There are three other types of Citharichthys fish that look very similar to the bay whiff. They are also about the same size. These are:
- The Gulf Stream flounder (C. arctifrons)
- The sand whiff (C. arenaceus)
- The spotted whiff (C. macrops)
