Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body deep, compressed; color blue-green above, sides and belly yellowish to silver; dark spot on shoulder, sometimes with a series of diffused spots behind shoulder spot; fins yellowish, caudal fin with dusky tips; typical herring mouth (short, deep lower jaw hidden by wide rounded upper jaw), upper jaw with frontal notch; belly with serrated keel; 2 rows of enlarged scales on back in front of dorsal fin; pelvic fin rounded, inner and outer rays about the same length; striated lines on opercle. |
Similar Species |
Differs from finescale menhaden by having striated lines on opercle, rounded pelvic fins (outer rays and inner rays about the same length); other herrings do not have 2 rows of enlarged scales on back in front of dorsal fin. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay |
Maximum Size |
35 cm (14 in), common to 27 cm (10 1/2 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 17-21; A. 20-23 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |