Elopidae

rdf:langString Elopidae

rdf:langString Ladyfishes and tenpounders

rdf:langString Bonaparte 1832

rdf:langString * †Davichthys (Forey 1973) * †Flindersichthys (Longman 1932) * †Histialosa ( Gervais 1855) * †Lyrolepis (Romanowski 1886 non Rechiger 1943) * †Naiathaelon (Poyato-Ariza & Wenz 1994) * †Nardoelops (Taverne & Capasso 2012) * †Opisthopteryx (Pictet & Humbert 1866) * †Palelops (Applegate 1970) * †Sauropsidium (Costa 1850) * †Thrissopteroides (von der Marck 1873) * Elops (Linnaeus 1766 non Bonaparte 1831 non Commerson ex Lacépède 1801)

rdf:langString Genera

rdf:langString * Elopina Günther 1868 * Siagonotes Duméril 1805

rdf:langString Elopidae

rdf:langString Linnaeus, 1766

rdf:langString The Elopidae are a family of ray-finned fish containing a single living genus Elops. They are commonly known as ladyfish, skipjacks, jack-rashes, or tenpounders. The ladyfish are a coastal-dwelling fish found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions, occasionally venturing into temperate waters. Spawning takes place at sea, and the fish larvae migrate inland entering brackish waters. Their food is smaller fish and crustaceans (shrimp). Typically throughout the species, the maximum size is 1 m (3.3 ft) and the maximum weight 10 kg (22 lb). The body is fusiform (tapering spindle shape) and oval in cross-section; being slightly laterally compressed, and the eyes are large and partially covered with adipose eyelids. Like those of eels, the larvae are leptocephalic - being highly compressed, ribbon-like, and transparent. After initial growth, they shrink and then metamorphose into the adult form. This family is fished, but their bodies are bony, so these fish are not marketed widely for consumption. They are caught and used as bait or may be ground down for fish meal. The name comes from the Greek ellops - a kind of serpent.