Fishes PDF
Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body deep, laterally compressed; skin rough, covered with minute scale plates; color gray or brown with irregular pale blotches, body covered with orange spots; 2 dorsal spines, 1st spine slender, weak, no barbs, 2nd spine small; gill slit oblique at a 45 degree angle; no enlarged scales (tympanum) above pectoral fin base; mouth outlined in black; no branched rays in any fins; no groove in front of eye or behind dorsal spines; no pelvic fins; pelvic spine absent and no flap of skin in front of anal fin. |
Similar Species |
Similar to the dotterel filefish, but the dotterel filefish has a longer tail fin and has no orange spots on body. Filefishes of other genera have a pelvic spine. Differs from triggerfishes by having only 2 dorsal spines (2nd 1 minute). |
Habitat |
Bay, in seagrass or sand and mud bottoms |
Maximum Size |
61 cm (24 in), common to 40 cm (15 1/2 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. II+32-39; A. 35-41 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
A. schoepfi |
Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |