Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, color of upper body bluish gray with numerous small yellow spots, underside whitish, silver streak under eye; ridge in front of dorsal fin modified into an enlarged flap, yellowish with dark mottling; head rounded dorsally; small barbel at the posterior margin of lips; tail fin truncate to emarginate; spine on upper margin of gill plate blunt and soft; dorsal fin single, long; most fins dark with yellow spots. |
Similar Species |
This tilefish is the only one with a barbel on the posterior margin of the lips. Other tilefishes have a predorsal ridge but no predorsal flap. Other tilefishes also have a sharp hardened spine on the upper edge of the gill plates. |
Habitat |
Gulf, deep water, mud and sandy bottoms, burrows |
Maximum Size |
125 cm (4 ft), common to 90 cm (3 ft) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. VII,14-15; A. II,13-15 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
golden tilefish, great northern tilefish |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Photos courtesy Michael Mixon |
State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |