The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), called tailor in Australia, is a species of popular marine gamefish found in all climates. It is the only extant species of the Pomatomidae family.
In South Africa, this fish is commonly known as shad on the east coast, and elf on the west coast. Shad can not be commercially sold in KwaZulu-Natal, and has a closed season (currently October and November) to allow for breeding. On the west coast, elf is a commerc...
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The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), called tailor in Australia, is a species of popular marine gamefish found in all climates. It is the only extant species of the Pomatomidae family.
In South Africa, this fish is commonly known as shad on the east coast, and elf on the west coast. Shad can not be commercially sold in KwaZulu-Natal, and has a closed season (currently October and November) to allow for breeding. On the west coast, elf is a commercially fished species.
Other common names are blue, chopper, and anchoa.
The bluefish is a moderately proportioned fish, with a broad, forked tail. The spiny first dorsal fin is normally folded back in a groove, as are its pectoral fins. Coloration is a grayish blue-green dorsally, fading to white on the lower sides and belly. Its single row of teeth in each jaw are uniform in size, knife-edged and sharp. Bluefish commonly range in size from seven-inch (18-cm) "snappers" to much larger, sometimes weighing as much as 40 pounds (18 kg), though...
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