Common names: needlefish (English), agujón (Espanol)
 
Strongylura scapularis Jordan & Gilbert, 1881

Shoulderspot needlefish,     Yellowfin needlefish

Elongate and slender, rounded in cross section; upper and lower jaws greatly elongated, with sharp teeth; no gill rakers; dorsal rays 13-15; anal rays 15-17; pectoral rays 9-11 (usually 10); tail base without lateral keels and not strongly depressed; tail slightly concave; about 172-226 scales before dorsal fin.


Brownish or olive on back, silvery on sides; wide grey stripe along flank; black color at junction of cheek and operculum extends down to lower edge of eye; bone before eye intensely pigmented; scales and spines never green.

Size: grows to at least 40 cm.

Habitat: coastal seas, entering estuaries and river mouths.

Depth: 0-10 m?

El Salvador to Peru.