Like tarpon and ladyfish, this species begins life in an eel-like larval stage during which it grows to a length of about 2.5 inches (6.3 cm); then metamorphoses, shrinking into a 1.5 inch (3.81 cm) miniature bonefish, before it begins to grow again.

As one might expect from the name, the bonefish has an abundance of bones (some of which are quite tiny), making this fish less than popular as table fare.

The bonefish occurs worldwide in shallow tropical and subtropical waters around flats and intertidal areas. Smaller ones can be seen in large schools on the flats. Larger ones tend to form smaller schools.

Bonefish feed on crabs, shrimp, clams, sea worms, sea urchins and small fish that inhabit sandy flats and intertidal areas. They are often seen rooting in the sand for mollusks, their tails breaking the surface of the shallow water, an action commonly known as tailing. At other times they plough the bottom, stirring up silt and sediment, an action known as mudding. They're powerful, running very fast and hard when hooked. Fishing methods include plug, fly or spin casting from a skiff or while wading on tidal flats, using either natural baits or artificial lures. Most bonefish are caught in depths from 6 inches to 10 feet (15 cm to 3 m).

Albula
Poland [Polish]

Banane de mer
France [French]

Banang
Malaysia [Malay]

Bid-bid
Philippines [Tagalog]

Dépéra
New Caledonia [Naa Kwenyi]

Far al bahar
Oman [Arabic]

Juruma
Brazil [Portuguese]

Lady fish
Myanmar [English]

Macabi
Spain [Spanish]

Soto-iwashi
Japan [Japanese]

Tenny
Sierra Leon [English]

Zorro
Peru [Spanish]