Atlantic Spadefish
Chaetodipterus faber
Sighting evidence at Timbebas Reef, Abrolhos Banks
Photo: Brian Gratwicke · CC BY
Enormous bait balls of Atlantic spadefish orbit the upper crowns of the tallest chapeirão formations at Timbebas, their disc-shaped silvery bodies catching the light in synchronized, hypnotic rotations. These aggregations can number in the thousands during peak conditions and attract larger predators including barracuda and jacks that hunt the periphery of the school. The species is a reliable indicator of healthy, structurally complex reef at Abrolhos.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Atlantic Spadefish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.