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The bonefish (Albula vulpes) is the type species of the bonefish family (Albulidae), the only family in order Albuliformes.
TaxonomyEdit
Bonefish were once believed to be a single species with a global distribution, however 9 different species have since been identified. There are three identified species in the Atlantic and six in the Pacific. Albula vulpes is the largest and most widespread of the Atlantic species.<ref name= "Suescun 2014" />
DistributionEdit
This species inhabits warm subtropical and tropical waters of the western Atlantic, and is found off the coasts of southern Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the West Indies.<ref name = "iucn"></ref>
DescriptionEdit
The bonefish weighs up to Template:Convert and measures up to Template:Convert long. The color of bonefish can range from very silver sides and slight darker backs to olive green backs that blend to the silver side.<ref name= "Suescun 2014" /> Slight shading on the scales often leads to very soft subtle lines that run the flank of the fish from the gills to the tail. The bases of the pectoral fins are sometimes yellow.Template:Citation needed Bonefish can live up to 20 years and reach sexual maturity at 2–3 years of age (when they're over 17 inches (43.18 cm) long). Larvae drift for an average of 53 days. Juveniles often live over open sandy bottoms.<ref name= "Suescun 2014" />
BehaviorEdit
An amphidromous species, it lives in inshore tropical waters and moves onto shallow mudflats or sand flats to feed with the incoming tide. Adults and juveniles may shoal together, and mature adults may be found singly or in pairs.<ref name= "Suescun 2014" />
The bonefish feeds on benthic worms, fry, crustaceans, and mollusks.<ref name="fishbase">{{#invoke:Cite taxon|main|fishbase|genus=|species=|subspecies=}}</ref> Ledges, drop-offs, and clean, healthy seagrass beds yield abundant small prey such as crabs and shrimp. It may follow stingrays to catch the small animals they root from the substrate.Template:Citation needed
In the Los Roques archipelago bonefish primarily hunt glass minnows, however this behavior is atypical.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Anchor Fishing and cuisineEdit
Bonefish are considered one of the premier fly and light tackle game fish.<ref name= "Suescun 2014" >{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Fishing for bonefish, called bonefishing, is a popular sport in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, southern Florida, Cargados Carajos. Since bonefish live in shallow inshore water, fishing may be done by wading or from a shallow-draft boat. Bonefishing is mostly done for the sport, so the fish are released, but they may also be eaten in less developed areas. A typical Bahamian recipe is a split fish seasoned with pepper sauce and salt, then baked.<ref>Darwin Porter, Danforth Prince, Frommer's Bahamas, 20th edition, 2012, Template:ISBN, p. 27.</ref>
Bonefish are notoriously wary and great skill must be taken both in approach and presentation when fishing for them. English-speaking fishermen often refer to them as "grey ghosts."<ref name= "Suescun 2014" />
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Adams, A., et al. 2012. Albula vulpes. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. Downloaded on 2 June 2013.
- Fly Fishing for Bonefish: Crazy Charlie Fly Pattern
- Chico Fernandez, Fly-fishing for Bonefish, 2004, Template:ISBN.
- Bonefish and Tarpon Conservation Research Template:Webarchive
- Hawaiian Bonefish Tagging Program
- Template:Sealifephotos