MARACAIBO LEATHERJACKET

Oligoplites palometa

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IUCN Red List Status: NOT EVALUATED

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MARACAIBO LEATHERJACKET

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Oligoplites palometa (Cuvier, 1832)

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Overview

Biology

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Found mainly in brackish and fresh waters; also over muddy bottoms of coastal marine waters (Ref. 5217). May leap out of the water. A carnivorous fish that returns to the sea to reproduce (Ref. 36880). Bears venomous glands on dorsal and anal spines (Ref. 40401). Juveniles up to 8.2 cm FL feed mainly on scales taken from larger fishes, also on benthic and planktonic crustaceans, and to a minor extent on smaller fishes and polychaetes (Ref. 40402). Juveniles up to 3.0 cm TL adopt a dark brown color pattern while close to decaying plant fragments, an example of camouflage (Ref. 40401, 46533). Over open, detritus-free and light colored sandy bottom, adopts a contrasting yellowish and dark brown pattern, an example of warning colors. Its conspicuous colors are mimicked by juveniles of the non-venomous grunt Pomadasys ramosus (Ref. 46533).