Fin's Fish Guide
The Leatherjacket (Oligoplites saurus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Carangidae that grows up to 35 cm.
Western Atlantic from the USA to Uruguay, in surface water of the coast, estuaries and surf; tolerates brackish water.
Description
The leatherjacket is a slender, laterally compressed jack of the family Carangidae reaching about 35 cm. The silvery body has a leathery, finely scaled skin and bears loose, free-standing spinelets just before the dorsal and anal fins, which can cause painful puncture wounds. The species hunts in schools in surface water of coast, estuaries and surf along the western Atlantic coast and tolerates brackish water. It eats small fish and crustaceans and sometimes nibbles scales off other fish. Through its speed and surface lifestyle it is a conspicuous hunter in shallow water, but because of the spines and tough flesh it is little eaten.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Leatherjacket?
The Leatherjacket has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender, silver scad with separate small spines before the dorsal and anal fins and a leathery skin; the spines can cause painful wounds.
Where does the Leatherjacket live?
The Leatherjacket lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Western Atlantic from the USA to Uruguay, in surface water of the coast, estuaries and surf; tolerates brackish water.
How big does the Leatherjacket get?
The Leatherjacket grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 27 cm.
Is the Leatherjacket dangerous to humans?
The Leatherjacket can cause injury; handle it with care. The sharp fin and gill-cover spines can cause painful cut or puncture wounds; handle a caught fish carefully and clean any wound.
Is the Leatherjacket edible?
The Leatherjacket is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Oligoplites
More from the family Carangidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Leatherjacket is one of 12,519 species in the app.