Longjaw leatherjacket
(Oligoplites altus)

Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Peru.

Max length: 56 cm FL; common length : 30 cm FL; max. published weight: 1.6 kg

Body elongate, fairly deep, and compressed (depth from 2.5 to 3.4 times in standard length); posterior edge of upper jaw extending beyond posterior rim of eye; upper jaw teeth small and villiform; lower branch of first gill arch with 8 to 13 gill rakers; scales small but visible, needle-shaped, embedded in the skin; body gray or brown; flanks and belly silvery with yellow highlights.

Adults inhabit coastal waters, entering estuaries.

Dorsal and anal spines of this species are connected to venomous glands that may inflict painful wounds.

Marketed fresh and salted or dried.