The bonefish (Albula vulpes) is a member and type species of the bonefish family (albulidae), the only family within the order albuliformes. For a while, experts believed bonefish to comprise a single species found in oceans worldwide. Over the years, however, biologists have cataloged 12 distinct species of bonefish. Four bonefish species inhabit the Atlantic Ocean, while the other six can be found in the Pacific Ocean.
The Albula virgata is possibly the rarest species of bonefish, as it has only been seen in Hawaii. That said, it is unclear whether the animal appears in low densities throughout the Pacific or is endemic to the region, like the round jaw bonefish (Albula glossodonta).
Albula vulpes are both the most widespread and largest bonefish species in the Atlantic. They can reach up to 14 pounds in weight and 31 inches in length. That said, larger specimens have been observed. In 2007, Bob Schroeder landed a 16 pound, three-ounce bonefish in the Florida Keys, thought to be the largest catch of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. In 1976, 19 and 17-pound bonefish catches were recorded in South Africa.
Bonefish generally sport silver scales, though some can have olive green tint and yellow bases along with the pectoral fins. A bonefish reaches sexual maturity once it has grown to 17 inches in length, generally between two and three years. They can live for up to 20 years.
Bonefish are preferential to inshore tropical waters and often return to the sandy flats of their youths to feed. In fact, it is not uncommon for adults and juveniles to group in shoals. They time their hunting to coincide with the incoming tide, with favorite meals ranging from benthic worms to various crustaceans. In some cases, bonefish may travel with stingrays to prey on what they leave behind.
Fishing enthusiasts categorize the bonefish as a premier fly and light tackle game fish. Southern Florida, Puerto Rico, and The Bahamas are just a few global locations where the art of bonefishing has taken on considerable popularity. In The Bahamas, individuals interested in catching a bonefish should head out between October and early June. However, it should be noted that The Bahamas is generally viewed as a “year-round fishery” and that the comparatively lower levels of bonefish may be offset by the lack of anglers traveling to the islands during the winter months. Regardless of the time of year, bonefishing expeditions should be timed for early morning or dusk.
Because the bonefish live and hunt along inshore shallows, bonefishing is typically achieved by wading out into the water or using a small raft. Catching a bonefish is no simple task, as the animal is extremely wary of human interactions. Nicknamed “grey ghosts,” bonefish are only caught by individuals who have perfected their approach and striking tactics.
As a game fish, bonefish are often released after being caught, though they are valued as sources of food in some locations. In The Bahamas, for instance, bonefish are seasoned with pepper sauce and salt, then baked.
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