Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1 - 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 5 - 9; Vertebrae: 33 - 36. Distinguished by the presence of an adipose fin; small weak spines in the dorsal and anal spines; rough ctenoid scales; and pectoral fins reaching well behind the bases of pelvic fins (Ref. 27547). Gill rakers short, stubby mounds with small teeth; lateral line nearly straight (Ref. 27547). Pale yellowish to silvery, often almost transparent; with a row of about 10 dark spots along midline of back, 10 or 11 spots along lateral line, and another row of spots high on sides above lateral line; fins transparent (Ref. 27547).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Percopsiformes

Family: Percopsidae

Genus: Percopsis

Species: Percopsis omiscomaycus (Walbaum, 1792)

Climate Zone

Biology

Occurs in lakes, deep flowing pools of creeks, and rivers (Ref. 5723). Usually found over sand (Ref. 5723). Moves into the shallows of lakes at night to feed and moves back to deeper water as dawn approaches (Ref. 1998). Feeds on insect larvae, amphipods and fishes (Ref. 1998). Important forage fish (Ref. 1998).

Habitat

demersal

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless