Species profile
Atlantic Spadefish
Chaetodipterus faber
Identify Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 2 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 1,491 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Texas, and Alabama the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Can reach 3 feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds.
- Juveniles drift near the surface mimicking dead leaves to avoid predators.
- Forms dense schools of hundreds around wrecks, pilings, and buoys.
- Has a nearly circular disc-shaped body with tall dorsal and anal fins.
- Feeds on jellyfish, small crustaceans, and other soft-bodied invertebrates.
Where Atlantic Spadefish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Atlantic Spadefish
Background
The Atlantic spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber) is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Ephippidae.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Atlantic Spadefish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Atlantic Spadefish?
Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Atlantic Spadefish?
Atlantic Spadefish is Chaetodipterus faber.
Is Atlantic Spadefish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Atlantic Spadefish has fishing regulations in 2 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Atlantic Spadefish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Atlantic Spadefish along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.