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leatherjacket fish

Alternative names: leather jack, Oligoplites saurus, skipjack

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The leatherjacket fish is a species of jack with two subspecies: O.s. saurus – distributed in the western Atlantic Ocean, and O. s. inornatus – inhabiting the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. They have an elongated and strongly compressed body and the posterior end of their upper jaw reaches the posterior rim of their eye. The teeth on their upper jaw are small and villiform. The leatherjacket is an aggressive fish that eat just about anything. They also pack a venomous sting that causes intense pain and swelling. They are generally avoided by fishermen, but nonetheless they are edible, tasting something like Spanish mackerel.

Often seen in Tasman Sea