Lookdown
Selene vomer

The lookdown is a silvery, flat-bodied fish that visits the lower to middle Chesapeake Bay in summer and autumn.

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Lookdowns usually live in small schools close to the bottom. Above, lookdowns swim at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Va., on Dec. 30, 2018. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program) USAGE REQUEST INFORMATION The Chesapeake Bay Program's photographic archive is available for media and non-commercial use at no charge. To request permission, send an email briefly describing the proposed use to requests@chesapeakebay.net. Please do not attach jpegs. Instead, reference the corresponding Flickr URL of the image. A photo credit mentioning the Chesapeake Bay Program is mandatory. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in any way that suggests approval or endorsement of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Requestors should also respect the publicity rights of individuals photographed, and seek their consent if necessary.

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Appearance

The lookdown's thin, flattened, silvery body can grow to a foot or longer, but rarely exceeds 2 to 3 pounds. It has a flattened head and a large mouth located low on its face. Long, thin first rays appear on the back and anal fins, and its tail is deeply forked with a small tail base. Juveniles have long, feathery fins on their back and belly.

Feeding

The lookdown eats small worms, fish and crustaceans.

Reproduction and life cycle

Spawning occurs with females laying eggs into the water column. Little else is known about its reproductive cycle.

Did you know?

  • The lookdown gets its name from the way it appears to “look down” as it swims.
  • Lookdowns are members of the jack family, which includes amberjacks and pompanos.

Sources and additional information

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