Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, slightly compressed; green to gray on back, silvery on sides and below; blotches on posterior lower sides; lower jaw projecting beyond upper jaw; large vertical teeth; area between eyes flat or concave; upper jaw reaches to or beyond anterior eye margin; dorsal, anal and caudal fins dark with white tips; caudal fin double emarginate with pale tips on each lobe; no fleshy tip on lower jaw; pectoral fin reaches to or beyond pelvic fin origin. |
Similar Species |
Guaguanche have backward directed teeth, lighter fins with dark tips, light golden longitudinal stripe, no blotches; in the northern sennet, the upper jaw does not reach the anterior margin of eye and it has a fleshy tip on lower jaw. |
Habitat |
Gulf, common around platforms, wrecks and reefs |
Maximum Size |
200 cm (6 1/2 ft), common to 130 cm (4 1/4 ft) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. V+I,9; A. II,7-8 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Marketed commercially, but the may have ciguatera toxin in flesh; deaths have been associated with eating this fish. Underwater photo courtesy of TPWD Artificial Reef Marine Species |
State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |