Bonefishes: Order Albuliformes

Bonefish are a small group of rayfinned fishes that are closely related to the tarpons and ladyfishes. There are currently ten species in a single family (Albulidae).  In the recent past, they also contained the spiny eels and halosaurs which (according to Fishbase) have been moved to their own order, the Notacanthiformes

What do Bonefish eat?

Bonefishes generally feed in shallow waters or mudflats.  They prey on benthic organisms such as worms, mollusks, shrimp and crabs.  Their snouts are somewhat conical in shape allowing them to root up their prey in the sandy bottoms. Anglers will often see these fish feeding with their tails out of the water in shallow sandy flats.  Once a bonefish digs up its prey, it crushes the prey with its hard crushing teeth witin the palate.

Classification

The following ten species are grouped in the order Albuliformes in a single family - Albulidae.

• Argentine bonefish - Albula argentea
• Longjaw bonefish - Albula forsteri
• Roundjaw bonefish - Albula glossodonta
• Threadfin bonefish - Albula nemoptera
• Sharpjaw bonefish - Albula neoguinaica
• Oligolepis bonefish - Albula oligolepis
• Virgata bonefish - Albula virgata
• Bonefish - Albula vulpes
• Longfin bonefish - Pterothrissus belloci
• Japanese gissu - Pterothrissus gissu