Odontognathus compressus Meek & Hildebrand, 1923
Caribbean longfin herring
Odontognathus compressus
photo by FAO

Family:  Pristigasteridae (Pristigasterids)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Panama, Venezuela, Trinidad, Suriname or Cayenne - misidentified as mucronatus in Ref. 2860.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 55-61. Belly with an uninterrupted keel of 24 to 28 scutes, the outer edges of the scutes distinctly serrated. Upper jaw broad at midpoint, tapering posteriorly, the tip reaching or surpassing gill opening. Pectoral fins large; dorsal fin rather small, set far back on body; anal fin long (Ref. 188). Sides of head silvery (Ref. 37032).
Biology:  Occurs in coastal waters inshore, probably entering estuaries.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 April 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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