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FISH GUIDE · Sea

Leerfish: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Lichia amia

Leerfish is a coastal predator with a strongly sinuous lateral line. The proposed surface approach adapts practices from Cyril Gressot and Fabien Fernandez and guarantees no catch.

Catalogue names : Leerfish. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Documented presence includes: eastern Atlantic, from Vendée to South Africa ; Mediterranean Sea ; western Indian Ocean, from Mozambique to southern India ; Red Sea.

  • Documented presence : eastern Atlantic, from Vendée to South Africa
  • Documented presence : Mediterranean Sea
  • Documented presence : western Indian Ocean, from Mozambique to southern India
  • Documented presence : Red Sea

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

A deep, compressed silver body, concave white belly, deeply forked tail and strongly sinuous lateral line. Do not identify it from the common name “liche” alone.

Habitat

Coastal margins, river mouths and estuaries in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, with a wider range in the western Indian Ocean.

Diet

Adults mainly eat fish, including mullet and small pelagic fish; juveniles also eat crustaceans and molluscs.

Behaviour

A coastal pelagic migrant, it also uses estuaries, particularly as a juvenile. The presence of mullet does not guarantee hunting activity.

Indicative biological size

Generally about 1 m according to DORIS; a descriptive indication, not the size of shore catches alone.

Fishing context and precautions

  1. Choose a permitted coastal margin or river mouth, from a manageable position or boat.
  2. Prepare landing and set the drag before casting a suitable popper or stickbait.
  3. Cast into clear water and work the surface lure while maintaining contact. This sequence is an indicative adaptation of practices from Cyril Gressot and Fabien Fernandez.
  4. Control the fish’s run without abruptly locking the line. Stop if the position does not allow safe landing; no presentation guarantees a catch.

A distinctive feature

The lateral line drops sharply behind the pectoral fin.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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