Where Does American Butterfish Live?

American Butterfish lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find American Butterfish

Water type

saltwater

Depth

Typically found from the surface down to 200 meters (650 feet), but most commonly in shallower coastal waters over sandy or muddy bottoms, often near estuaries.

Environment

Pelagic, schooling fish found in coastal and offshore waters of the continental shelf. They prefer temperate to subtropical waters and are often associated with areas of upwelling or high productivity.

Geographic range

Western Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Florida, USA, and occasionally into the Gulf of Mexico. Most abundant from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras.

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