Citharichthys dinoceros

Family	Scientific Name	Author	Year	Common Name
Cyclopsettidae	Citharichthys dinoceros	Goode and Bean	1886	Spined Whiff

All Citharichthys Species: Mouth large, maxilla less than 3.5 in head length usually reaching posteriorly to vertical through mideye. Jaws on blind side not arched. Front teeth in jaws enlarged, larger than lateral teeth. Both jaws with a single row of fixed (immovable) teeth. Scales ctenoid. Gill rakers slender and moderately long.

Citharichthys dinoceros

Unique Characteristics: No osseous protuberance on snout (but males may have labial and cephalic spination). Upper-jaw length usually greater than 33% head length. Body depth greater than 40% standard length. Dorsal-fin rays 88 or more; anal-fin rays 68 or more. Lower jaw noticeably included in upper jaw when mouth closed; with several large canines overhanging lower jaw. Caudal fin with or without 2 large spots; if spots present, arranged one above and one below median rays.

Similar Species:

Citharichthys arctifrons, Gulf Stream Flounder

Gulf Stream Flounder, Citharichthys arctifrons. Osseous protuberance on snout. Upper-jaw length less than 33% head length (31% head length in some specimens of C. spilopterus). Body depth 34-43% standard length (usually less than 40%).

Citharichthys gymnorhinus, Angelfin Whiff

Angelfin Whiff, Citharichthys gymnorhinus. No osseous protuberance on snout (but males may have labial and cephalic spination). Upper-jaw length usually greater than 33% head length. Body depth greater than 40% standard length. Dorsal-fin rays fewer than 88; anal-fin rays fewer than 68. Lower jaw not noticeably included in upper jaw when mouth closed; without conspicuous canines overhanging lower jaw. Caudal fin without large spots, or with numerous spots. Body and median fins not profusely covered with regularly arranged spots and blotches. Eye diameter usually 30% head length or greater. Cephalic spination present on males, absent on females. Snout naked. Ocular-side pelvic fin with 5 fin rays. Scales in lateral line fewer than 40. No dark spot in axil of pectoral fin (males with dark black spot on dorsal and anal fins immediately behind longest rays). Males with anterior continuation of spine from rim of orbit of upper eye directed horizontally and projecting forward beyond margin of head.

Citharichthys macrops, Spotted Whiff

Spotted Whiff, Citharichthys macrops. No osseous protuberance on snout (but males may have labial and cephalic spination). Upper-jaw length usually greater than 33% head length. Body depth greater than 40% standard length. Dorsal-fin rays fewer than 88; anal-fin rays fewer than 68. Lower jaw not noticeably included in upper jaw when mouth closed; without conspicuous canines overhanging lower jaw. Caudal fin without large spots, or with numerous spots. Body and median fins profusely covered with regularly arranged spots and blotches (scales deciduous, spotting on body not so obvious when scales lost).

Citharichthys cornutus, Horned Whiff

Horned Whiff, Citharichthys cornutus. No osseous protuberance on snout (but males may have labial and cephalic spination). Upper-jaw length usually greater than 33% head length. Body depth greater than 40% standard length. Dorsal-fin rays fewer than 88; anal-fin rays fewer than 68. Lower jaw not noticeably included in upper jaw when mouth closed; without conspicuous canines overhanging lower jaw. Caudal fin without large spots, or with numerous spots. Body and median fins not profusely covered with regularly arranged spots and blotches. Eye diameter usually 30% head length or greater. Cephalic spination present on males, absent on females. Snout partially covered with scales. Ocular-side pelvic fin with 6 fin rays. Scales in lateral line 40 or more. Small dark spot in axil of pectoral fin (males without large black spot on middle of dorsal and anal fins). Mature males with single horizontally directed spine projecting forward from snout region between eyes and extending well beyond margin of head.

Citharichthys spilopterus, Bay Whiff

Bay Whiff, Citharichthys spilopterus. No osseous protuberance on snout (but males may have labial spination). Upper-jaw length usually greater than 33% head length. Body depth greater than 40% standard length. Dorsal-fin rays fewer than 88; anal-fin rays fewer than 68. Lower jaw not noticeably included in upper jaw when mouth closed; without conspicuous canines overhanging lower jaw. Caudal fin without large spots, or with numerous spots. Body and median fins not profusely covered with regularly arranged spots and blotches. Eye diameter 25% head length or less. No cephalic spination.