Species profile
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Identify Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 7 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 10 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 3 (New York); the most generous is 15 (Georgia).
Across 4 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 15.3 in (≈ 1 ft 3 in).
Confirmed by 1,589 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, North Carolina, and New York the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Bluefish have razor-sharp teeth and will slash through dense schools of baitfish.
- They can exceed 3 feet in length and are found in temperate seas worldwide.
- During feeding frenzies called bluefish blitzes, schools drive baitfish to the surface.
- Their oily flesh has a bold flavor and deteriorates faster than most fish.
- Bluefish migrate seasonally along the Atlantic coast, following prey northward each spring.
Where Bluefish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Bluefish
Background
The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is the only extant species of the family Pomatomidae. It is a marine pelagic fish found around the world in temperate and subtropical waters, except for the northern Pacific Ocean. Bluefish are known as tailor in Australia, elf in South Africa, and shad in KwaZulu-Natal. Other common names are blue, chopper, and anchoa. It is a popular gamefish.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bluefish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Bluefish?
Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 10 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Bluefish?
Bluefish is Pomatomus saltatrix.
Is Bluefish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Bluefish has fishing regulations in 7 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 Bluefish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Bluefish 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.