Jack-knifefish
| Jack-knifefish | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Sciaenidae |
| Genus: | Equetus |
| Species: | E. lanceolatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Equetus lanceolatus (Linnaeus, 1758) | |
The jack-knifefish (Equetus lanceolatus) is a small fish, typically between 6 and 9 inches, that can occasionally be found on coral reefs in the middle western Atlantic Ocean, in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida and the Bahamas.
Habitat
When jack-knifefish are young, they generally lives in rocks and coral hidden from predators. Generally they inhabit reef areas.
juvenile Jack-knifefish, Equetus lanceolatus
Jack-knifefish, Equetus lanceolatus
Diet
Jack-knifefish are carnivorous fish that feed on crabs,shrimp and small invertebrates.
Behavior
This species of fish can live with other types of small fish, as it is not aggressive. Like other fishes of its family, it can produce "croaking" or "drumming" sounds.
Coloration
Jack-knifefish are typically black and white or dark brown and white.