Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body very elongate, cylindrical; snout pointed; mouth large, extending posteriorly well beyond eye; needle-like teeth in both jaws, tongue and roof of mouth with teeth (rough patches); color golden brown above, whitish below, young with diamond-shaped blotches on the sides; adipose fin present; 1 dorsal fin, no spines, at about center of back; inner rays of pelvic fins much longer than outer rays. |
Similar Species |
Offshore lizardfish has fleshy knob on its chin; in the largescale and smallscale lizardfishes, the rays of the pelvic fins are of equal length (inner rays much longer that outer rays in the inshore lizardfish). |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay |
Maximum Size |
52 cm (20 1/2 in), common to 30 cm (12 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 10-13; A. 14-16 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
|
Previous Scientific Names |
|
Comments |
|
State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |