
Also known as:
Chopper
Choppers
Elf
Shad
Marine piranha
Skipjack
Tailer
Tailor
Common Group Name:
Bluefishes
Family Name:
Pomatomidae
Genus Name:
Pomatomus
Species Name:
Pomatomus saltatrix
Dispatch Method:
Beware of the sharp teeth of bluefish when handling them. The eating qualities of these fish are greatly improved if they are killed immediately by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding. Smaller bluefish can also be killed humanely by cervical dislocation (breaking the neck).
Fish Description:
- Bluefish are greenish to bluish above and silvery below.
- Juvenile bluefish grow to around 15 cm (6 inches) in 1 year, and both sexes mature at 2 to 3 years old at around 30 cm (12 inches) long.
- A 60 cm (24 inch) tailor is likely to be 5-6 years old, and the maximum age is around 9 years old.
Fish Distribution:
- This species is widely distributed in tropical and warm temperate waters of most oceans.
- Juvenile bluefish frequent estuaries while schools of adults frequent inshore waters and can be found offshore to depths of up to 200 meters.
Fish Size Common Length:
Common between 30-60 cm (12-24 inches), maximum size around 120 cm (48 inches) and 14 kg (30 lb).