Bonefish (Albula vulpes) are a sought-after marine species, often called the “ghost of the flats.” Their elusive nature and challenging fight make them a popular target for anglers. This streamlined, silvery fish is pursued in its natural environments.
Global Geographic Range
Bonefish inhabit warm tropical and subtropical waters globally. Their distribution concentrates within specific warm-water belts. In the Western Atlantic, their range extends from North Carolina, New York, and New Brunswick, southward through Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, continuing throughout the Caribbean Sea to Brazil.
On the Pacific coast, bonefish are found from San Francisco Bay, California, down to Peru, and westward to Hawaii and other Polynesian islands. The Indian Ocean also hosts bonefish populations, notably around the Seychelles and Maldives. What was once considered a single global species is now understood to be a group of several genetically distinct species, though they share similar appearances and behaviors.
Preferred Habitats and Environments
Bonefish favor shallow, inshore aquatic environments. They are commonly found in intertidal flats, which can consist of sand, grass, or muddy substrates. These flats provide ample foraging opportunities.
Mangrove estuaries, lagoons, and river mouths are also preferred habitats. While they may be found near coral reefs, their primary preference remains shallow coastal waters. Bonefish move onto these shallow flats with the rising tide to feed, retreating to deeper adjacent waters during a falling tide or when not actively foraging.
Ecological Drivers of Distribution
Bonefish presence in specific locations links to several environmental requirements. They thrive in warm water temperatures, with an optimal range between 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 22 to 28 degrees Celsius). While they can tolerate temperatures from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 29 degrees Celsius), prolonged exposure outside this range can affect their activity.
Bonefish require specific salinity levels found in marine and estuarine environments. Their diet consists of benthic and epibenthic prey, including crabs, shrimp, mollusks, polychaete worms, and small fish like the gulf toadfish. These food sources are abundant in the shallow, sheltered environments bonefish inhabit. Clear water is beneficial for their foraging, as they use keen eyesight to locate prey, and their speed helps them evade predators such as sharks and barracuda.