WEEK 2 - LET'S GO FISHIN'

Atlantic Spadefish -Chaetodipterus faber

*Family Ephippidae, SPADEFISHES Description: silvery with 4 to 6 black vertical bands on each side which sometimes become obscure in larger fish; deep, flattened body; separated first and second dorsal fins; concave caudal fin; anterior rays of second dorsal and anal fins elongated. Similar fish: no close resemblance, but frequently and mistakenly called angelfish. Where found: INSHORE and NEARSHORE, around natural and artificial reefs, and especially near navigation markers in 15 to 20 feet of water. Size: most catches less than 2 pounds, known to reach 15 pounds. Remarks: spawns in spring and summer; travels in large schools; small juveniles almost totally black., known to drift on their sides and mimic floating debris; feeds on crustaceans, small endrusting invertebrates, and may nibble on tentacles of jellyfish.