Atlantic spadefish

Atlantic spadefish[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Superclass:	Osteichthyes
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Suborder:	Acanthuroidei
Family:	Ephippidae
Genus:	Chaetodipterus
Species:	C. faber
Binomial name
Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet, 1782)

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

A large Atlantic spadefish caught off of the coast of Virginia.

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

1. ^ "Chaetodipterus faber". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=169539. Retrieved 25 June 2008. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2008). "Chaetodipterus faber" in FishBase. June 2008 version.
3. ^ Burleson, Jeff (2006-06-19). "Aces of Spades". South Carolina Sportsman. http://www.southcarolinasportsman.com/details.php?id=115. "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." 
4. ^ ^{a b} Ward, Artemas (1911). "Angel fish". The Grocer's Encyclopedia. New York. 
5. ^ "Common Names of Chaetodipterus faber". FishBase. http://www.fishbase.org/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=1024&GenusName=Chaetodipterus&SpeciesName=faber&StockCode=1040. Retrieved 2008-06-25. 
6. ^ Cassidy, Frederic Gomes; Joan Houston Hall (2003). Dictionary of American Regional English. Harvard University Press. pp. 288. 
7. ^ "Chaetodipterus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=169538. Retrieved 25 June 2008.