The family Pomatomidae contains only one member, the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix . The bluefish closely resembles the pompano family with its two dorsal fins and one anal fin. The ventral fins are well forward of the dorsals, located underneath the pectorals.
Blues have a broad, forked caudal fin, and the lower jaw protrudes slightly beyond the upper jaw.
The upper and lower jaws are lined with a series of stout, conical canine teeth. Although the bluefish visually resembles the pompano, ichthyologists believe that its skeletal characteristics relate it more closely with the sea bass family. Bluefish are seagreen colored above with a silvery belly below. The pectorals are marked with a black blotch at the base. Bluefish can grow to a maximum of about three and one-half feet.