Citharichthys gymnorhinus

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ParalichthyidaeCitharichthys gymnorhinusGutherz and Blackman1970Anglefin Whiff

Citharichthys gymnorhinus

Unique Characteristics: Anglefin Whiff Citharichthys gymnorhinus. No distinct arch in lateral line above pectoral fin on ocular side and lateral line not prolonged below inferior eye. Base of pelvic fin on ocular side on midventral line. Urinary papilla on blind side. Branched caudal-fin rays 11, rarely 10 or 12. 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. 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. 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.

Similar Species:

Gulf Stream Flounder Citharichthys arctifrons

Spotted Whiff
Citharichthys macrops

Citharichthys arctifrons
Gulf Stream Flounder – Citharichthys arctifrons

Citharichthys macrops
Spotted Whiff – Citharichthys macrops

Gulf Stream Flounder Citharichthys arctifrons. No distinct arch in lateral line above pectoral fin on ocular side and lateral line not prolonged below inferior eye. Base of pelvic fin on ocular side on midventral line. Urinary papilla on blind side. Branched caudal-fin rays 11, rarely 10 or 12. 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. Osseous protuberance on snout. Upper-jaw length less than 33% head length. Body depth 34-43% standard length (usually less than 40%).

Spotted Whiff Citharichthys macrops. No distinct arch in lateral line above pectoral fin on ocular side and lateral line not prolonged below inferior eye. Base of pelvic fin on ocular side on midventral line. Urinary papilla on blind side. Branched caudal-fin rays 11, rarely 10 or 12. 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. 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. Body and median fins profusely covered with regularly arranged spots and blotches. Scales deciduous, spotting on body not so obvious when scales lost.

Horned Whiff
Citharichthys cornutus

Bay Whiff
Citharichthys spilopterus

Citharichthys cornutus
Horned Whiff – Citharichthys cornutus
Photo Credit: G.H. Burgess
Citharichthys spilopterus
Bay Whiff – Citharichthys spilopterus

Horned Whiff Citharichthys cornutus. No distinct arch in lateral line above pectoral fin on ocular side and lateral line not prolonged below inferior eye. Base of pelvic fin on ocular side on midventral line. Urinary papilla on blind side. Branched caudal-fin rays 11, rarely 10 or 12. 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. 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. 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.

Bay Whiff Citharichthys spilopterus. No distinct arch in lateral line above pectoral fin on ocular side and lateral line not prolonged below inferior eye. Base of pelvic fin on ocular side on midventral line. Urinary papilla on blind side. Branched caudal-fin rays 11, rarely 10 or 12. 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. 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. Body and median fins not profusely covered with regularly arranged spots and blotches. Eye diameter 25% head length or less. No cephalic supination.

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