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  • dark brown +/- 8 cross-bars, +/- irregular spots
    D 59-68; A 43-51
    Achirus achirus, Drab sole
    pectoral 3-4
  • 8 thin, dark cross-bars
    C no dark spots
    blind side all pale
    D 49-60; A 38-48
    Achirus declivis, Plainfin sole
    pectoral 5-6
  • ~ 8 thin cross-bars + spots
    C dark spots
    blind side +/- rear 1/2 dark
    D 49-60; A 38-48
    Achirus lineatus, Lined sole
    pectoral 5-6
  • oval, tapering
    eyes tiny
    tan, irregular dark blotches
    Apionichthys dumerili, Longtail sole
    gill openings narrow slits, separate
    pelvics distinct, eye-side fin rudimentary/absent
  • eye-side: cirri short/absent
    complete bars: body ~20-30; C 3-5
    body bars =/ < width pale interspaces
    juvenile all dark
    Gymnachirus melas, Naked sole
    accessory LLs: usually > 7, 3rd - 47-62 pores
  • eye-side cirri short/absent
    body bars < width pale interspaces
    accessory LLs: usually > 7, 3rd - 34-44 pores
    Gymnachirus nudus, Nude sole, Flabby sole
    complete bars: body ~15-18; C 3-4
  • eye-side cirri long
    body bars 1/2 width pale interspaces
    C 4-6 complete & incomplete bars
    Gymnachirus texae, Fringed sole
    complete body bars > 30
    accessory LLs: usually < 8, 3rd 27-38 pores
  • yellowish-brown + dense dark reticulating lines
    C yellow/clear
    D 51-55; A 39-41
    Trinectes inscriptus, Scrawled sole
    eye-side: small pectoral
  • ~7-8 thin dark crossbars
    fins spotted
    D 50-56; A 36-42
    Trinectes maculatus, the hogchoker
    eyes not tiny (40-56% snout)
    usually no pectorals
  • fine, dense reticulating dark lines
    C pale + dark edge
    D 52; A 37
    eye tiny (< 40% snout)
    no pectorals
  • body: ~8 thin bars; LL row dark spots
    fins - rows spots
    D 54-60; A 40-45
    Trinectes paulistanus, Southern hogchoker, Slipper sole
    eyes not tiny (40-56% snout)
    eye-side pectoral usually present (1 ray)