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Salema butterfish (Peprilus snyderi) — Stromateidae

Salema butterfish

Peprilus snyderi
Family: Stromateidae

The Salema butterfish (Peprilus snyderi) is a saltwater fish of the family Stromateidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The salema butterfish is a butterfish (Stromateidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, strongly compressed, mirror-silver body without pelvic fins. It swims in schools in open coastal water and eats small zooplankton, jellyfish and small invertebrates. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Salema butterfish?

The Salema butterfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Salema butterfish live?

The Salema butterfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others

How big does the Salema butterfish get?

The Salema butterfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Salema butterfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Salema butterfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Salema butterfish edible?

Yes, the Salema butterfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Salema butterfish (Peprilus snyderi) — Stromateidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Eduardo Dios Alemán, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Salema butterfish (Peprilus snyderi) — Stromateidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Charles Henry Gilbert (Public domain)
Salema butterfish (Peprilus snyderi) — Stromateidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Salema butterfish (Peprilus snyderi) — Stromateidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Salema butterfish sourced
Scientific name
Peprilus snyderi
Family
Stromateidae
Other names
Salema butterfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Peprilus

More from the family Stromateidae

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