Eques lanceolatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Jack-knifefish
Eques lanceolatus
photo by Flescher, D.

Family:  Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 60 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda and North Carolina, USA to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ref. 57756).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 47-55; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 16-16. Very high first dorsal fin with a short base (Ref. 26938). Gray with three white-edged dark brown to black bands, the first running vertically through eye, the second from nape across operculum and chest to front of pelvic fins, and the last beginning on first dorsal fin and running to end of caudal fin (Ref. 13442). Third and widest band from tip of high dorsal fin, curving along length of body to tip of tail (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Inhabits bays and sounds; also deep coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Juveniles sometimes inshore (Ref. 9710). Easily approached (Ref. 9710). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35420). Feeds mainly on small shrimps and crabs, but also on polychaete worms and gastropod mollusks (Ref. 13442).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 October 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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