Overview
Powerful pelagic predator, hunts in schools near the surface. Prefers warm waters and sandy bottoms near rocky coasts.
Identification
Fusiform bodyLong pectoral finsWide mouthVisible lateral lineReduced pelvic finsSmall scalesForked tailDark back
- Body
- Elongated body, laterally compressed.
- Colouration
- Silvery with bluish hints on the back, white belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/barely noticeable
- Growth
- Fast, develops quickly in early life stages.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Carangidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Lichia amiaPomatomus saltatrixSeriola dumeriliCaranx hipposTrachurus trachurus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock, gravel, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Widespread along the Eastern Atlantic coasts, from the Bay of Biscay to Angola, and also in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Micro-habitat
- Often found near rocky shores and submerged structures where it hunts small fish.
Prefers calm waters and mixed bottoms for chasing prey.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, shrimp, squid
- Secondary prey
- crustaceans, fish larvae, krill
- Occasional prey
- jellyfish, cephalopods
- Feeding behaviour
- Active predator, hunts in schools chasing prey in open water or near the surface.
- Natural predators
- sharks, tuna, larger fish
Actively hunts small species, using speed to surprise prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Undergoes seasonal migrations for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- During warmer months, it moves closer to the shores for breeding.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles often inhabit protected coastal lagoons and areas.
- Adults
- Adults are often found offshore, forming large groups.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 10 and 30 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small and transparent.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic and develop quickly in surface waters.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Leerfish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, tramonto
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
With low pressure moves away from coast. Difficult fishing.
Medium
Stable pressure = maximum predatory activity. Hunts in schools on surface.
High
With high pressure hunts actively on the surface. Good conditions.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
16°COptimal zone: 20-27°C30°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
river mouthsreefscoral reefssandy beaches
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
spinningtrollingfly fishingjigging
Other applicable
SpinningShore JiggingRock FishingBeach FishingBolentinoBolentino MedioBolentino PesanteLive BaitingPesca A Mosca In MarePoppingSlow JiggingSpinning MedioSpinning PesanteSpinning VeloceStreamerSurfcastingSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting NotturnoSurfcasting PesanteTraina Col VivoTraina CostieraTrolling OceanicoVertical Jigging
Recommended baits
surface lureslive baitsbaitfishsquid
Baits by pressure
Low
JerkbaitMetal jig medio (40-100g)Popper grande (GT)Popper medioSoft plastic grande (20-30cm)Stickbait WTDStickbait lungo (pelagici)
Medium
Cefalo vivoSardina vivaAcciuga vivaEsca viva (generica)Pezzo di pesceTrancio di sardinaGambero vivo
High
Cefalo vivoJerkbaitMetal jig medio (40-100g)
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Strong fighter, leaps and makes quick circles.
- Handling
- Handle with care to avoid damage to the fins.
- Release
- Release quickly, preferably in water.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The leccia stella can reach maximum sizes of about 65 cm in length. Some known catches in the Mediterranean report specimens over 2 kg, considered trophies by sport fishermen. It is popular among anglers for its fighting nature.
- In the kitchen
- Meat appreciated for its texture and delicate flavor, often baked or grilled.
- Cultural notes
- Featured in fishing tales as a prized trophy for its strength and speed.
- Historical notes
- Historically caught with nets and traps, long considered a valued fish by coastal communities.
