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Gulf Menhaden

Brevoortia patronus
Managed by: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Regions
Florida
Protected status
None
Also known as
—

Species Profile

Florida saltwater profile data (FWC). Availability and detail varies by species.

FWC
Size
Rarely over 10 inches
Similar species
Yellowfin menhaden, B. smithi (have a single dark spot) Size: Rarely over 10 inches
Appearance
  • Oval-shaped body that is deep and compressed
  • Spot near top of gill cover, often followed by several rows of smaller spots
  • Blue-green or blue-brown color on back, sides and belly silver, fins yellowish
  • Notch in the middle of upper jaw
Habitat
Nearshore waters
Behavior
Spawn offshore across the northern Gulf in the winter; valuable commercial fishery
Additional information
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Sources
Image credit: © Diane Rome Peebles