Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix

The bluefish is a large, long fish with a greenish-blue body and a forked tail. It visits the Chesapeake Bay's open waters from spring through autumn.

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A bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is caught by a trawl survey. (Photo by Virginia Institute of Marine Science)

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Appearance

The bluefish usually grows 40 to 45 inches in length and can weigh as much as 30 pounds. It is an elongated, greenish-blue body and a silvery belly. Its large mouth has strong jaws and sharp teeth. Its tail fin is forked and light green, and it has a black blotch at the base of its pectoral fin.

Feeding

The bluefish eats squid and small, schooling fish such as menhaden and anchovies. It uses its sharp teeth to attack and feed on prey. Possibly the most voracious predator in the Bay, a bluefish will kill another fish just for the sake of killing it.

Predators

Sharks, tuna and swordfish may prey upon bluefish. Humans catch bluefish for commercial and recreational purposes.

Reproduction and life cycle

Spawning occurs off the mid-Atlantic coast during summer. Juveniles from this spawning period and a southern spring spawning period enter the Bay in late summer. Bluefish can live for more than 12 years.

Did you know?

  • Bluefish are very aggressive. They have been known to bite humans who wander too close to a school of fish being hunted.
  • The Chesapeake Bay record bluefish was caught in 1986 at Bluefish Rock near Hampton, Virginia. It weighed 25 pounds, 4 ounces.

Sources and additional information

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