Genus: Odontognathus, Longfin Herring, Longfin Herrings
top head very concave
elongate, very compressed
D very small, origin well behind A origin
mouth very oblique
top jaw to end operculum
top jaw to end operculum
belly convex
no pelvics
no pelvics
A very long base
ODONTOGNATHUS
LONGFIN HERRINGS
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; dorsal fin very small, behind mid-body; pectoral fins low on the side just behind the head; no fin spines; anal base very long, origin well before dorsal; no pelvic fins; a forked tail fin; a strongly serrated, convex keel on belly.
This neotropical genus contains three species, with 2 west Atlantic representatives in our area.
