Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, laterally compressed; color bluish to greenish silver on back, sides silvery; eye large; mouth large, extends to posterior margin of eye; 2 long chin barbels, originating behind lower jaw tip, under eye, about as long as the head; dorsal fin long, anterior rays slightly elongate; dorsal fin dusky at the base; tail fin forked, dusky on the inner margins; lobes of dorsal and anal fins may be dusky or black. |
Similar Species |
Goatfishes have chin barbels also, but the barbels are located on the tip of the lower jaw. Goatfishes also have 2 dorsal fins. Beardfishes have 1. The stout beardfish is distinguished from another area beardfish (P. lowei) by its dorsal ray count (34-38 vs 26-32) and lower gill raker count (10-13 vs 14-22). The stout beardfish also grows larger than P. lowei with a maximum length 52 cm (20 in) vs 20 cm (8 in) in P. lowei. |
Habitat |
Gulf, deep water, gravel or sandy bottoms |
Maximum Size |
48 cm (19 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. V,34-37; A. IV,15-16 (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. |