Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body very elongate, round; lower jaw greatly elongated and needle-like, red at the tip; upper jaw short, with scales; color silvery green above, silvery white below; bony ridge (preorbital ridge) present behind nostril; preorbital length (from mouth to eye) is > 70% of eye diameter; origin of dorsal fin over origin of anal fin; caudal fin forked with lower lobe slightly longer than upper lobe, edges of caudal fin dusky; 3 narrow dark lines on back from head to dorsal fin; bases of dorsal and anal fins covered with scales; pectoral fin short, not reaching to nostril when folded forward. |
Similar Species |
Similar to the Atlantic silverstripe halfbeak (which does not occur here), but the preorbital length (from the mouth to the eye) is greater than 70% of the eye diameter (less than 70% in the Atlantic silverstripe halfbeak); other area halfbeaks have the dorsal fin origin in front of the anal fin origin. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay |
Maximum Size |
22 cm (8 1/2 in), common to 18 cm (7 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 12-17; A. 14-18 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
American halfbeak |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |