Stromateus fiatola Linnaeus, 1758
Blue butterfish
Stromateus fiatola
photo by Crocetta, F.

Family:  Stromateidae (Butterfishes)
Max. size:  50 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 70 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay where rare (Ref. 6561) and the Mediterranean southward to the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 42-50; Anal soft rays: 33-38. Blue to brownish in color and darker spots dorsally, silver to whitish ventrally; juveniles with vertical bars on body and small black pelvic fins (Ref. 4410).
Biology:  Found over continental shelves (Ref. 6561). Young are often found associated with pelagic medusae (Ref. 6561). Form large shoals (Ref. 27121). Feeds on small fishes and zooplankton, also medusae (Ref. 6561).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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