The ladyfish, also known as the tenpounder, belongs to the genus Elops and is the sole member of the monotypic family Elopidae. This species showcases a long, slender body with a rounded shape, covered in glistening silvery scales. One distinctive feature is its terminal mouth, situated at the end of its snout. Additionally, the ladyfish possesses a deeply forked tail, which aids in its swift and agile movements through the water.
To identify the ladyfish, one can count the gill rakers and vertebrae, as this provides a distinguishing characteristic among similar species in its genus.
The ladyfish primarily inhabits the western North Atlantic Ocean, spanning from the coastal areas of New England to Florida, and extending into the Gulf of Mexico. Its distribution overlaps with another species, the malacho (Elops smithi), in the southeastern United States and the southern Gulf of Mexico.
As a pelagic fish, the ladyfish undergoes a marine phase for spawning, although limited information is available about this particular aspect of its life cycle. The larvae, which possess a transparent and laterally compressed appearance, disperse near the shore and find refuge in embayments. Within these sheltered areas, the young ladyfish reside for a duration of 2 to 3 years.
The juveniles of the ladyfish exhibit euryhaline characteristics, enabling them to tolerate a wide range of salinity levels. Consequently, these embayments serve as suitable habitats, ranging from low-salinity estuaries to hypersaline lagoons. As the ladyfish matures, it migrates towards offshore marine environments, typically found in the lower reaches of the embayments.
The ladyfish's dependence on estuarine areas and hypersaline lagoons renders it vulnerable to changes in the quality of these habitats. While the species may not exhibit a strong association with a particular habitat type, it remains susceptible to the adverse effects of development and urbanization.
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Ladyfish: A Species of the Western North Atlantic Ocean:
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Distribution Range of the Ladyfish:
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The Intriguing Biology of the Ladyfish:
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