Malacho

This species is distinguished from Elops saurus in the number of vertebrae 73-80 but usually 75-78 vs. 79-87, often 81-85, respectively (vs. E. senegalensis 67, E. machnata 63-64, and E. hawaiensis 68-70). This species has a lower gill raker count , 10-15 on lower limb of the first arch (vs. E. affinis 16-20 and E. lacerta 17-19) (Ref. 83481).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 24 - 27; Analsoft rays: 16 - 19; Vertebrae: 73 - 80

Occurs in a wide range of salinities; mature adults and early-life history stages in offshore marine habitats and where spawning is presumed to occur; and transforming larvae and subadults in estuaries, as far up as the oligohaline zone, as well as hypersaline lagoons (Ref. 83481).