Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, deep, moderately compressed; color greenish to bluish black above, silvery to golden below, juveniles with dusky vertical bars; chest scaleless with 1 small patch of scales in front of pelvic fins; dorsal and anal fin lobes elongate; black spot on lower pectoral fin near base, pectoral fins arched, longer than head; black spot on upper edge of gill cover; posterior lateral scutes on lateral line; paired caudal keels (ridges) on caudal peduncle; mouth large, posterior end of upper jaw reaches to posterior margin of eye or beyond; lateral line with strong, moderately long anterior arch. |
Similar Species |
This is the only jack with a black spot on pectoral fins and a scaleless chest with small patch of scales by pelvic fins. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay |
Maximum Size |
124 cm (4 ft), common to 75 cm (29 1/2 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. VIII+I,15-21; A. II+I,15-17 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Underwater photo courtesy of TPWD Artificial Reef Marine Species. |
State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |