Flat Sided Garfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: one dark spot on sides of body (below the dorsal fin); anal-fin rays 11-14 (usually 12-13); dorsal fin with well-developed anterior lobe, pigmented on anterior part; body width 1.3-1.8 times its depth; absence of scales on upper jaw; no preorbital ridge (Ref. 9843).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 11 - 14; Vertebrae: 52 - 55

A coastal species mostly found in more turbid inshore waters replacing Hemiramphus far, which is more common in more oceanic waters (Ref. 9843). Inhabits estuaries (Ref. 75154). A high quality food fish well-known in markets of Brisbane, Queensland (Ref. 9843).

fisheries: commercial