Scientific Name
Peprilus paru
Common Name
American harvestfish
Biology
Dorsal
spines
(total): 2 - 5;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 38-47;
Anal
spines: 2 - 3;
Anal
soft rays: 35 - 45. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body very deep (its depth 1.6 to 1.8 in total length), bounded by even curves and strongly compressed; snout short and blunt, about equal to eye diameter; mouth small, tip of maxillary just reaching to below eye margin; teeth in jaws weak, in 1 row, those in the upper jaw slightly recurved, simple and pointed; dorsal and anal fin bases very long (about equal in length), both fins falcate, the length of their longest rays greater than head and preceded by 3 weak spines; caudal fin stiff and deeply forked, both its lobes longer than head; pectoral fins narrow and much longer than head; pelvic fins absent; no conspicuous series of pores below dorsal fin; lateral line high, following dorsal profile; scales small and easily detached, extending to cheeks and bases of vertical fins; body color pale blue to gr