Overview
Silvery coastal fish with flat tall body. Very fun to catch on light tackle.
Identification
Flat bodyLong, thin finsMouth pointed downwardLarge eyesExtremely curved dorsal profileBright silveringVery short pelvic fin groupAlmost straight ventral edge
- Body
- Laterally compressed and very tall body with an extremely curved dorsal profile.
- Colouration
- Silvery with bluish reflections, often showing dark oblique bands when excited.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not pronounced
- Growth
- Moderate; grows quickly in the early years before stabilizing.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Carangidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Selene setapinnisCaranx hipposTrachinotus carolinusCarangoides ruberDecapterus punctatus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- sand, seagrass
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, from the shores of Canada down to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
- Micro-habitat
- Often shelters near submerged structures like reefs, bridge pilings, and wrecks.
Adaptable to various coastal microhabitats, often near submerged human structures.
Presence by sea area
Na Costa Est SudPeak
Na Golfo MessicoPeak
Na CaraibiPeak
Sa Brasile NordPeak
Sa Brasile EstPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- shrimp, small fish, small crustaceans
- Secondary prey
- small crabs, marine insect larvae, algae
- Occasional prey
- mollusk larvae, amphipod larvae
- Feeding behaviour
- Active predator, primarily feeding at dusk, using agility to chase swift prey.
- Natural predators
- groupers, mackerels, sharks, large tunas
Diet varies based on prey availability and seasonal environmental conditions.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Resident, with possible slight seasonal movements toward warmer waters.
- Seasonal behaviour
- May be more active during warmer months when feeding activity increases.
- Juveniles
- Younger fish tend to stay closer to the shore and in shallower waters for protection.
- Adults
- Adults range further from the coast and tend to form small hunting groups.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July, August
- Spawning depth
- Between 10 and 30 meters
- Eggs
- Small, numerous pelagic eggs.
- Larval stage
- Planktonic larvae rely on currents for dispersal.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Atlantic lookdown
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, mattina, tramonto
Nightraro
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, 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
Active in schools near the coast.
Medium
Regular feeding.
High
Less active.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
coastal reefscoral reefsaround pier pilingsnear submerged wrecks
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
light trollingspinningfloat fishingfly fishing
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoBeach FishingLive BaitingRock FishingSpinningSpinning MedioSpinning PesanteSurfcasting
Recommended baits
shrimpsilver artificial luresquidcut fish
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitShrimp artificiale (gomma)Metal jig leggero (20-40g)Paddle tail softbaitSoftbait piccolo / LRF
Medium
Gambero morto / GamberoGambero vivoPesciolino vivoStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sardinaAcciuga vivaEsca viva (generica)
High
Arenicola
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Puts up a medium fight, with rapid side-to-side bursts.
- Handling
- Use a damp cloth to avoid damaging its silvery skin.
- Release
- Gently release back into water; ensure it swims away strongly.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- Peixe-galo is uncommon in Mediterranean sport fishing; however, in its Atlantic habitat, it sometimes reaches significant sizes, with specimens exceeding 4.5-6.5 lbs.
- In the kitchen
- The fillet is prized for its white, delicate meat, often served fried or grilled.
- Cultural notes
- Often mentioned in sport fishermen's tales for its unique features and attractive appearance.
- Historical notes
- Historically fished in coastal waters since colonial times, valued for fresh consumption.
