About Lichia amia (Linnaeus, 1758)
The leerfish, also called garrick, with the scientific name Lichia amia, is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Carangidae. It is the only living member of the genus Lichia. This species is native to most of the eastern Atlantic Ocean: its range extends from the Mediterranean and western Black Sea, north to France, and south along the coastal waters of western Africa, reaching as far south as eastern South Africa. Leerfish is an important species for coastal recreational fisheries, particularly in Africa. Fully grown individuals can reach 1.5 meters in length and weigh more than 30 kilograms. They live in the coastal wave zone, where they form small shoals to hunt other smaller fish, and prefer mullets as prey. In South Africa, leerfish primarily breed in estuaries, and move into marine environments after they reach maturation.
