Leatherjacket fish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leatherjacket fish |
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The leatherjacket fish (Oligoplites saurus) is a cool fish often called a leather jack. It belongs to a fish family known as Carangidae, which includes many types of "jacks." These fish can grow to be about a foot long, which is roughly 30 centimeters.
Where Leatherjacket Fish Live
There are two main types of Oligoplites saurus. One type, called O.s. saurus, lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. You can find it from Chatham, Massachusetts down the U.S. coast. It also swims throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. This type goes all the way along the South American coast to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
The other type, O. s. inornatus, lives in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It can be found from southern Baja California and much of the Gulf of California down to Ecuador. This includes islands like the Galapagos and Malpelo Islands.
What Leatherjacket Fish Eat
Leatherjacket fish are very hungry eaters! They love to gobble up small fish and shrimp. Sometimes, they hunt for food alongside bigger fish that also eat other animals. They are known to eat small fish, including the silver perch.
Can You Eat Leatherjacket Fish?
For a long time, people did not usually eat the leatherjacket fish. But recently, more of these fish are being raised on farms. This means they are now more common to find in markets. The fish has a mild, slightly oily taste. Some people say it tastes a bit like Spanish mackerel or bluefish.
Sometimes, young leatherjacket fish swimming in seagrass beds can become food for other animals. For example, the blue swimmer crab has been known to catch and eat them.
