354 Harvest Fish 



Distribution: Occurs from Florida to Nova Scotia. It is 

 most abundant in the Middle Atlantic and New England 

 regions. 



Size: Grows to a length of one foot and a weight of VA 

 pounds. 



General Information: The Butterfish is often found close 

 inshore in the shallow waters of coves and bays over sandy 

 bottoms. It is also encountered offshore, particularly in 

 winter, in depths down to 700 feet. Spawning occurs in 

 spring and early summer. The eggs are buoyant. Young 

 Butterfish frequently are found swimming among the 

 stinging tentacles of jellyfishes, where they are protected 

 from larger fishes. The Butterfish feeds on a wide variety 

 of animals including small fish, crustaceans, squid, and 

 worms. 



Economic Importance: A good pan fish and important in 

 the commercial fisheries of the Middle Atlantic and south- 

 ern New England. It is frequently caught by anglers fish- 

 ing from shore in favorable local areas. 



Harvest Fish, Starfish 

 Peprilus alepidotus (Linnaeus) 



Color: Silvery green above; sides silvery or with a yellow 



tinge. 



Distribution: Occurs from Florida to Cape Cod. It is most 



common in the Chesapeake Bay region. 



