Bonefishes are elongate, fusiform fishes with a conical snout and a subterminal mouth. Like their relatives, the ladyfish and tarpon, bonefishes begin life as leptocephalus larvae and possess a gular plate. However, the gular plate of bonefishes is rudimentary and easily overlooked. Bonefishes are sought by many sportsmen, but are of little value as foodfish due to the numerous small bones in the flesh. Bonefishes are shallow-water, nearshore inhabitants that forage on sandy or muddy bottoms for worms, mollusks, and small fishes.

Worldwide in tropical waters.

Depth range based on 108 specimens in 9 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 38 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0 - 205
  Temperature range (°C): 16.796 - 28.006
  Nitrate (umol/L): 0.087 - 7.486
  Salinity (PPS): 34.228 - 37.009
  Oxygen (ml/l): 2.877 - 5.244
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.025 - 1.086
  Silicate (umol/l): 1.259 - 12.679

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0 - 205

Temperature range (°C): 16.796 - 28.006

Nitrate (umol/L): 0.087 - 7.486

Salinity (PPS): 34.228 - 37.009

Oxygen (ml/l): 2.877 - 5.244

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.025 - 1.086

Silicate (umol/l): 1.259 - 12.679
 
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The bonefish frequents shallow, inshore waters including bays and estuaries. Bonefish sometimes feed in water so shallow that their dorsal and caudal fins break the surface. They feed on worms, mollusks, and crustaceans that are picked (or "grubbed") from mud and sand bottoms. Bonefish spawn offshore with the leptocephalus larvae migrating inshore to nursery areas.