Species: Odontognathus mucronatus, Guiana Longfin Herring

Odontognathus mucronatus Lacepede, 1800

Guiana Longfin Herring

Body elongate, very compressed; top of head concave; mouth small, directed up, lower jaw projecting; upper jaw long, extending to or past gill opening; very small dorsal fin, behind mid-body; anal fin base very long (70-85 rays), its origin well before dorsal; pectorals large, low on the side just behind the head; no fin spines; no pelvic fins; a forked tail fin; a convex keel on belly formed by 7-8 scutes (spiny scales) before the pectoral, a gap under pectoral base, and 12-13 scutes behind it, outer edges of scutes smooth, not serrated.

Body yellowish white with thin white midlateral stripe; head silvery; midline of head and back dark; anal fin dark, other fins clear to white.

Reaches 17.5 cm.

Lives in shallow coastal waters over mud and sand bottoms; common in estuaries and ascends rivers.

Depth: 0-40 m.

Venezuela to southern Brazil.