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LEERFISH
The Leerfish is a species of marine fish in the Carangidae family. Leerfish are usually found in small groups in summer, usually less than 10 fish and larger groups in the winter. They come close to shore in search of Mullet, Shad and one of their favorites Bluefish. Leerfish are a locally popular sportfish and have some commercial value. Although not the best eating fish in the world they are quite edible, with the smaller ones being considered the best for the table.
Overall, this is a silvery fish with a leathery, scaleless appearance, though in fact it does possess minute embedded scales. The back is dusky to brown or blue gray, and the lower surface of the belly is white. The fin lobes may be black or dusky tipped. The dart like body is further identified by the unusually curvy, sinuous lateral line, which arches high over the pectoral fins, then dips to or below the pectoral fins, then rises back to the midline as it nears the tail. There is a prominent lobe at the beginning of the long second dorsal and anal fins, a characteristic typical of many species of the jack and trevally family. Unlike many members of the family, however, the leerfish has short pectoral fins and no scutes.
The Leerfish is a highly rated sport fish that can be caught by angling from the rocks or shore. It takes both live baits, such as Mullets or Sardines, and lures with zeal. It is not uncommon to see Leerfish pursuing Bluefish or Mullet on the surface along the coasts. Fly fishing is one of the most common techniques that is used to catch the Leerfish. Angling for them from the rocks and the shore are some of the most popular ways that sportfishing anglers prefer to land one of these fish.
International
Leerfish is found in all eastern Atlantic Ocean along the entire coasts of the Iberian Peninsula and western Africa to the South Africa and also then north along the eastern African coast in Mozambique. It lives also in the Mediterranean Sea.