About Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760)
The garfish (Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1760)) is a long, slender fish with a laterally compressed body, typically growing 50 to 75 cm (20 to 30 in) in length. It has elongated jaws lined with sharp teeth. Its pectoral, dorsal, and anal fins are placed far back on the body, and the dorsal and anal fins have a similar appearance. This rear positioning of the fins gives the garfish's body greater flexibility. Its lateral line is located low on the flanks. The garfish's body is bluish green with a silvery grey belly, and its bones are green. Garfish are pelagic fish that live near the water surface. They feed on small fish, and have a migratory pattern similar to mackerel, arriving a short time before mackerel to spawn. This association with mackerel gave rise to older common names including "mackerel guide" and "mackerel guardian". Garfish are sometimes caught as bycatch, most often in fixed nets along shallow coastal waters. When caught on rod and line, they typically leap out of the water after being hooked. People eat garfish prepared by boiling, frying, baking, grilling, or smoking. Their unusual green bones, colored by the pigment biliverdin, discourage many people from eating them, though this green color is completely harmless. Garfish is a very popular food fish in Denmark.
