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Florida Fish Species

Alligator Gar
American Eel
American Shad
Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Black Bullhead
Black Crappie
Black Drum
Blue Catfish
Blue Tilapia
Bluegill
Bowfin
Brown Bullhead
Brown Hoplo
Chain Pickerel
Channel Catfish
Clown Knifefish
Common Carp
Flathead Catfish
Flier
Florida Gar
Gizzard Shad
Golden Shiner
Goldfish
Grass Carp
Green Sunfish
Hybrid Striped Bass(wiper/palmetto)
Inland Silverside
Ladyfish
Lake Chubsucker
Largemouth Bass
Longnose Gar
Longnose Sucker
Mayan Cichlid
Mozambique Tilapia
Oscar
Peacock Bass
Red Drum
Redbreast Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
Redfin Pickerel
Redspotted Sunfish
Shoal Bass
Spotted Bass
Spotted Sunfish
Spotted Tilapia
Striped Bass
Striped Mullet
Suckermouth Catfish
Sunfish (Bream)
Suwannee Bass
Threadfin Shad
Warmouth
White Bass
White Catfish
Yellow Bullhead

Lakes with Ladyfish on FishExplorer
+1

1 lakes were found with Ladyfish that have incomplete research and may not be active, but are listed. Log in or create a free account to view the rest of the list of lakes with Ladyfish.
Ladyfish
Ladyfish occur in the western North Atlantic Ocean from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.  Typically found in brackish water lagoons and bays, ladyfish are tolerant of a wide range of salinities. Occasionally found several miles offshore, ladyfish prefer open water areas in channels with moderate currents and eddies at river bends. This species is cold intolerate preferring temperature in the mid-fifties and higher.
 
This small cousin of the tarpon rarely exceeds much over three feet and fifteen pounds. They are long, spindle shaped fish that is oval in cross-section. Their eyes are large. Ladyfish have a small pointed head, a deeply forked tail, and no teeth and are covered with small scales. Their color is silvery blue to greenish with silver sides. This species is known to live at least six years.
 
Ladyfish spawn offshore during the winter months.. Spawning takes place at sea,  The larvae that migrate inland entering brackish waters. The larvae are highly compressed, ribbon-like, and transparent, much like eels. After initial growth, they shrink and revert to adult form.
 
Ladyfish tend to form large schools, feeding primarily small fish, such as glass minnows, silversides, menhaden, and mullet. Crustaceans, especially shrimp, round out their diet. rounding out the rest of their diet.

 

Ladyfish in Florida

From FWC

Apperance

◾Terminal mouth
◾Slender body
◾Small scales
◾Last dorsal ray not elongated
◾Head is small and pointed
 

Habitat:

Ladyfish are found inshore in bays and estuaries.  They may occasionally enter freshwater.  Ladyfish frequent tidal pools and canals and often form large schools and harasses bait at the surface.

Behavior:

Ladyfish are known to spawn offshore.  Adults feed predominantly on fish and crustaceans.  They leap when hooked.

State Record:
6 lb 4 oz, caught near Cocoa Beach
Fishing Tips and Facts:

Additional Information:
Ladyfish appear similary to juvenile tarpon, Megalops atlanticus.
Most Recent Ladyfish Forum Posts
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Ladyfish Articles, Blogs, & Podcasts
Blog: The lady didn't fight like a lady 12.21.13 by David Coulson
Recent Florida Ladyfish Photos by Fish Explorer Members
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