Yellowfin Menhaden

Scutes apparent along belly; upper jaw with median notch. Pelvic fin with oblique and almost straight hind margin, the inner fin rays markedly shorter than outer fin rays when fin folded back. Pre-dorsal scales modified; scales in lateral series small and numerous, those on back and above anal fin markedly smaller than rest. A black spot behind gill opening, but none along flank (Ref. 188). Silvery, with a greenish or bluish back. Fins golden yellow (Ref. 7251).

Breeds in winter (eggs and larvae in plankton), probably November through to February or March (no data from Gulf of Mexico).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0

Schooling (but perhaps not in northern part of range), inshore and in bays and estuaries; occurs in brackishwater.

A schooling species (but perhaps not in the northern part of its range) occurring inshore and in bays and estuaries. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton. Breeds in winter, probably November through to February or March. Eggs and larvae are planktonic (Ref. 188). Parasitic copepod found in the stomach (Ref. 37032).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: low; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

N.C. to s. Florida and s. Texas

nektonic