Smooth Weakfish

Silvery bluish on back, often with greenish reflections. Whitish on belly. Upper sides sometimes with inconspicuous minute dark dots. Soft portion of dorsal fin and caudal fin edged with black, pelvic and anal fins yellowish. Inside of opercle dark, visible externally. Mouth large, pointed, lower jaw projecting. Upper jaw with a pair of large canine-teeth at tip. Chin without barbel or obvious pores. Snout with 2 marginal pores. Gas bladder with a pair of curved, horn-like anterior appendages. Scales small, all cycloid (smooth). Soft dorsal-fin base with 1 or 2 rows of scales along its base (Ref 51721).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 24; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10

Bottom feeder.

Found over mud and sand bottoms in river estuaries. Occurs up to 50 m but usually less than 25 m (Ref. 9626). Marketed fresh and salted.

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes