Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate and moderately compressed; color yellowish gray above, silvery below, no spots; lower jaw protruding slightly, mouth supraterminal; inside of mouth orange; 2 fang-like teeth on tip of upper jaw; dorsal fin with deep notch; caudal fin S-shaped in adults, pointed in juveniles; 1/3 of soft dorsal fin base covered in scales; anal fin base longer than eye diameter. |
Similar Species |
Sand and silver seatrout are difficult to distinguish, the best way is to count the anal fin rays, silver seatrout have 9 rays, sand seatrout have 10 or 11 rays; silver seatrout have scales covering 1/2 or more of the soft dorsal fin base (1/3 in sand seatrout); spotted seatrout have spots on sides. |
Habitat |
Bay and nearshore Gulf, sand or muddy bottom |
Maximum Size |
63.5 cm (25 in), common to 35 cm (14 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. XI,25-27; A. II,11 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
sand trout |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |