Oligoplites saurus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Leatherjack

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Perciformes \| Carangidae
Synonyms	Scomber saurus, Oligoplites inornatus, Oligoplites saurus inornatus, ... more
Common names	... more

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This map was computer-generated and has not yet been reviewed.

AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 1995. (Ref. 9283)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator : Smith-Vaniz, William F. | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5217); common length : 27.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5217); max. published weight: 287 g (Ref. 3277)

Environment

Reef-associated; brackish; marine

Climate / Range

Subtropical; 45°N - 35°S

Western Atlantic: Maine, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Uruguay; throughout most of the West Indies (Ref. 3277). Absent from the Bahamas (Ref. 26938). Eastern Pacific: Baja California, Mexico to Ecuador (Ref. 9283). Two subspecies exists (Ref. 3277): Oligoplites saurus saurus (western Atlantic population) and Oligoplites saurus inornatus (eastern Pacific population).
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 21; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Anal soft rays: 18 - 21. Body elongate and strongly compressed (depth from 3.5 to 4.4 times in standard length); posterior end of upper jaw reaching posterior rim of eye; upper jaw teeth small and villiform; lower branch of first gill arch with 14 to 18 gill rakers; scales small but visible, needle-shaped, embedded in the skin; back blue green; flanks and belly silvery to white, sometimes with yellow or golden highlights; pectoral and caudal fins yellowish (Ref. 55763); Dorsal fin has 5 nearly separate spines.

Found inshore, usually along sandy beaches, in bays and inlets (Ref. 9283). Enters estuaries and fresh water (Ref. 9283). Prefers turbid water (Ref. 9283). Occurs in schools, usually large and fast moving, often leaping out of the water (Ref. 9283). Juveniles may float at the surface with tail bent and head down. Feeds on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 9283). Its dorsal and anal spines are connected to venomous glands that can inflict painful wounds (Ref. 9283). Venom glands were not visible, not able to be confirmed in specimen (Ref. 57406). Current information in the table (dangerous fish) do not match; needs verification. Juveniles have incisor-like outer teeth and serve as cleaners for other fish; as fish grow, their teeth become conical and their diet changes (Ref. 26938). Marketed fresh and salted or dried but the flesh is not highly esteemed (Ref. 9283).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Venomous (Ref. 9283)

Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: occasionally


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment Abundance	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

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Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805)

PD₅₀ = 0.5312

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Low to moderate vulnerability (25 of 100)	Medium

Entered by Luna, Susan M.

Modified by Ortañez, Auda Kareen

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