Ladyfish

Ladyfish in Nigerian waters
Source: NOAA Photo Library

Ladyfish, Elops lacerta, called Igbun in Yoruba, is a ray-finned fish found in coastal waters from Mauritania to Namibia, sometimes entering freshwater, like in Cross River, Nigeria. This species is reported to spend one or two years in the Lekki and Lagos lagoons of Nigeria, afterwhich they move back to coastal waters where they attain maturity. They feed primarily on small fishes, mainly clupeids, crustaceans and molluscs.

Contributor:
Tope Apoola
Profession: Writer