Discover the Chesapeake Field Guide Fish Lookdown

Lookdown

Selene vomer

Quick Facts

  • Species

    Native

  • Habitat

    Most often found in sandy areas near bridges and pilings. Usually live in small schools close to the bottom.

  • Range

    Visit the lower to middle Chesapeake Bay in summer and autumn, occasionally ranging as far north as Calvert and Talbot counties in Maryland.

  • Diet

    Feeds on small worms, fish and crustaceans

  • Status

    Stable

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

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

Quick Facts

  • Species

    Native

  • Habitat

    Most often found in sandy areas near bridges and pilings. Usually live in small schools close to the bottom.

  • Range

    Visit the lower to middle Chesapeake Bay in summer and autumn, occasionally ranging as far north as Calvert and Talbot counties in Maryland.

  • Diet

    Feeds on small worms, fish and crustaceans

  • Status

    Stable