Chaetodipterus faber

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Osteichthyes
Classis: Actinopterygii
Subclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Superordo: Acanthopterygii
Ordo: Perciformes
Subordo: Acanthuroidei
Familia: Ephippidae
Genus: Chaetodipterus
Species: Chaetodipterus faber

Vernacular names
Internationalization
English: Atlantic spadefish

The Atlantic spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber) is a species of marine fish endemic to the western Atlantic Ocean. They are commonly found in shallow waters off the coast of the southeastern United States and in the Caribbean.[2]

Due to their reputation as strong fighters, they are popular game fish, especially during the summer months when they are most active.[3][4]

Naming and taxonomy

The Atlantic spadefish is known by numerous colloquial names, including angelfish, white angelfish, threetailed porgy, ocean cobbler, and moonfish.[5][6]

The Atlantic spadefish belongs to the genus Chaetodipterus, which includes two other species: the West African spadefish (Chaetodipterus lippei) and the Pacific spadefish (Chaetodipterus zonatus).[7] The Chaetodipterus genus belongs to the Ephippidae family, which includes spadefish and batfish.

Description

The Atlantic spadefish has a very deep, compressed, disk-shaped body and a blunt snout. The second dorsal and anal fins of adults have long, trailing anterior lobes, giving an "angelfish-like" appearance. The body is silver in color with irregular black vertical bands that fade gradually with age. The mouth is small, with the maxilla of adults ending beneath the nostrils.[2] Specimens commonly weigh from three to ten pounds, although individuals as large as twenty pounds have been recorded.[2][4] Their maximum length is about 3 feet (0.9 meters).[2]

Sport fishing

The Atlantic spadefish has become a popular target species for sportfishermen due to their abundance and the strong fight they have for their size. They are good table fare, especially if smoked or grilled. A common method of catching involves using small pieces of clam on a small circle hook.

References

^ "Chaetodipterus faber". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
^ a b c d Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2008). "Chaetodipterus faber" in FishBase. June 2008 version.
^ Burleson, Jeff (2006-06-19). "Aces of Spades". South Carolina Sportsman. "Sometimes referred to as 'bluegills on steroids,' spadefish are one of the hardest-fighting fish in the ocean, compared pound-for-pound to other fish of similar size."
^ a b Ward, Artemas (1911). "Angel fish". The Grocer's Encyclopedia. New York.
^ "Common Names of Chaetodipterus faber". FishBase. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
^ Cassidy, Frederic Gomes; Joan Houston Hall (2003). Dictionary of American Regional English. Harvard University Press. pp. 288.
^ "Chaetodipterus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 25 June 2008.