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Butterfish (Stromateus brasiliensis) — Stromateidae

Butterfish

Stromateus brasiliensis
Family: Stromateidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Butterfish (Stromateus brasiliensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Stromateidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
22.0–133.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Southwest Atlantic butterfish is a butterfish from the southwest Atlantic, off the coast of South America. The species grows to about 38 cm and has a deep, oval, strongly compressed, silvery body without pelvic fins. It schools over sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf, between about 20 and 135 metres, and feeds on zooplankton, small jellyfish and crustaceans. It is a valued commercial food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Butterfish?

The Butterfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Butterfish live?

The Butterfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Butterfish get?

The Butterfish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Butterfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Butterfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Butterfish edible?

Yes, the Butterfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuid-Atlantische botervis verified
English name
Butterfish verified
Scientific name
Stromateus brasiliensis
Family
Stromateidae
Other names
Southwest Atlantic butterfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
22.0 verified
Max depth (m)
133.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netvisserij sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Stromateus

More from the family Stromateidae

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