About the Species

The Atlantic butterfish is a common species native to the eastern coast of the United States.  It can be found traveling in loosely organized schools, from Nova Scotia to southern Florida. It seems to prefer sandy-bottomed areas to muddy ones. They are semi-pelagic, traveling from bottom waters to the upper water column to feed upon small fish and invertebrates (like small worms and crustaceans).  They are an important prey species for many marine mammals, fish, and birds.

The American butterfish seldom lives more than 3 years, and most are sexually mature after reaching 1-2 years old. Spawning occurs around the Gulf of Maine during the summer months, peaking in July. It appears to spawn a few miles out to sea and returns to the coast when finished. Fry are 2 mm long at hatching, and by autumn, can reach  a length of 10cm (about 4 inches).  Butterfish prefer warm water, and migrate out of Long Island Sound and offshore into the warm waters of the gulf stream during the winter months.   For more information, visit the NOAA species profile here.