Atlantic Spadefish are silvery in color with 4 to 6 black vertical bands (stripes) on each side of the body.  They average about 12 to 18 inches in length, but can grow as large as 2.9 ft (91cm). 

They are normally seen in large schools which is also a defense mechanism against predators such as large fish and Sharks.  In an attempt to camouflage themselves, darkly colored juveniles will often drift like a leaf in the water column.

They are a Carnivore and feed on small crabs, crustaceans, mollusks, annelids, shrimps, marine worms, plankton, jellyfish, and sponges.

They live about 8 to 10 years.  Their spawning season is from May until September, and a single Spadefish can spawn up to 1 million eggs which hatch after 24 hours.