Species: Odontognathus compressus, Caribbean Longfin Herring

Odontognathus compressus Meek & Hildebrand, 1923

Caribbean Longfin Herring

Body elongate, very compressed; top of head strongly concave; mouth short, strongly oblique; lower jaw projecting; upper jaw long, extending to or past gill opening; very small dorsal fin, behind mid-body; pectoral fins low on the side just behind the head; no fin spines; anal base very long, 52-62, origin well before dorsal; no pelvic fins; a forked tail fin; a strongly serrated, convex keel on belly of 24-29 scutes, outer edges of scutes serrated, keel not interrupted under pectoral fin base.

Body pale, translucent; head silvery; a narrow silver stripe along flank; a dark line along midline of back behind dorsal fin; fins clear, base of tail fin dark.

Reaches 17 cm.

Inshore coastal waters over muddly bottoms; enters brackish estuaries.

Depth: 0-30 m.

Costa Rica to Suriname.