Appearance
- Menhaden are a round fish with a bony head, large eyes and a large mouth. They also have a dark spot behind their gills which is followed by other smaller spots.
- They have a silver belly and a brown, blue or greenish dorsal region, along with a yellowish forked tail.
- Menhaden can reach a length of 12 inches, but generally are between 8 and 11 inches long.
Atlantic menhaden facts
- Species name: Brevoortia tyrannus
- Menhaden are toothless and feed on plankton.
- Many creatures feed on Menhaden, including:
- Whales
- Dolphins
- Porpoises
- Birds
- Striped bass
- Tuna
- Sharks
- Swordfish
- Bluefish
- Cymothoa exigua
- Menhaden are found within 20 miles of shore.
- They spawn during the winter months, with females laying up to 300,000 eggs.
- They are found from Nova Scotia to Florida.
- Menhaden are fished commercially for bait and fish oil. It is a very successful fishery with almost no bycatch or habitat disruption.
- Menhaden isn't usually sold for food as it has a pungent flavor and is very bony.