Fish Id: A Guide To East Coast Fishes

Rudderfish, banded Seriola zonata

Pale body darkening towards top of back, with six distinct dark bands running vertically down the body. Tail is short, and also banded as seen above. They can be caught inshore on lines and in traps in our Great Bay area, usually very small in size, about 4-7 inches. The rudderfish can grow as large as 25 inches, and range from Brazil to Nova Scotia. The young fish strongly resemble the pilotfish, with many of the same habits (shark followers). The rudderfish has two dorsal fins, the pilotfish has only one. The first dorsal fin starts at the black band that runs up from the rudderfish's eye, with the longer second dorsal just behind the first.
Edible, but not commonly consumed by folks in the U.S., considered a sportfish here.

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