Southern Ladyfish
Elops smithi
About This Species
A silvery, torpedo-shaped fish found in warm coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons along the eastern Atlantic, often schooling over sandy flats and near river mouths. It feeds actively at dawn and dusk on small baitfish and crustaceans, frequently betraying its presence by leaping clear of the water when startled or chasing prey. Shore anglers and waders in shallow surf zones during warmer months have the best chance of an encounter.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Data are too limited to assign this species a conservation status, so treat sightings with the same care given to any wild population: avoid crowding schools in shallow water and do not chase fish into the shallows to force a better view.
- Where local fisheries rules apply, follow any size or catch restrictions in place, and release quickly if handled, keeping the fish in the water as much as possible to protect its slime coat and gills.
DDElopiformesElopidae
Seasonal Activity
146,507 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Order
- Elopiformes
- Family
- Elopidae
Photo
(c) Sue, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Sue
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.