Family Osmeridae

Large mouth, maxillary entends past midpoint of eye, lateral line incomplete, large canine teeth on vomer,marine only

This genus is characterized by having; a small mouth, maxillary that does not extend past midpoint of the eye, lateral line incomplete.

Head length LESS than 4X the diameter of eye, and LESS than 2.5X, longest anal fin ray, scales in lateral series 53-60.Exotic- Japan,Freshwater lagoons,Anadromous and Freshwater forms.

Head MORE than 4X diameter of the eye, and MORE than 2.5X longest anal fin ray, scales in lateral series 66-73), Marine, and brackish enviroments.

This Genus is characterized by having; Large mouth, maxillary that extends past middle of the eye, lateral line absent or obsolete, no striations on gil cover.

Angle of jaw 54-65 degrees to top of snout, mid-lateral scales 60-66, no striations on operculum

Angle of jaw 68-90 degrees to top of snout, mid-lateral scales 54-65, no striations on operculum, long pectoral fin nearly reaching base of anal fin, huge anal fin ray,native in Humboldt bay

Large mouth, maxillary extends past middle of eye, lateral line complete, striations on gill cover, body has rough texture, Anadromous, Northern California to Alaska, Commercial fishery, tribal trust species.