Lagodon rhomboides, commonly known as the pinfish, is a small, silver-bodied fish with distinctive yellow stripes and a compressed, diamond-shaped body. It inhabits seagrass beds, estuaries, and coastal areas in the western Atlantic Ocean. Known for its sharp dorsal spines, it plays a vital role in the food web as both predator and prey.

Lagodon rhomboides, commonly known as the pinfish, is native to the western Atlantic Ocean. Its geographical distribution includes the eastern coast of the United States, from Massachusetts down to Florida, and extends into the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and along the coasts of Central America and northern South America.

Pinfish typically inhabit coastal waters, including estuaries, bays, seagrass beds, and around mangroves. They are commonly found in shallow waters with depths ranging from 1 to 12 meters but can also be found at depths up to 30 meters. The environmental conditions they thrive in include warm, temperate to subtropical climates with salinities ranging from brackish to fully marine environments.

Pinfish play a significant role in their ecosystems as both prey and foragers. They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on small invertebrates and plant material such as algae and seagrasses. This diet contributes to the regulation of seagrass health and influences the structure of benthic communities. Pinfish serve as an important food source for a variety of larger fish, birds, and mammals, thus playing a crucial role in the food web of coastal marine environments.