American sackfish

Dorsal spines (total): 27; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 17-20. There are two lateral lines on the sides, both originating above the upper angle of the gill opening. Sometimes the lower lateral line branches off from the second or third tubular scale of the upper lateral line. The sides are silvery, the back brown; the first dorsal fin is blackish, the second dorsal fin black anteriorly; the buccal cavity is pale, and the branchial cavity pale to dusky.