[2][3][4][5][6] The Pacific ladyfish have very round bodies with terminal mouths, and profound gill formations known as pseudobranchiae.

This species is very different from most chordates in that it has no conus arteriosus, a tendinous band of tissue from which the pulmonary artery arises.

All scales are silvery and cycloid, along with the overall color of the fish; however, yellow pigment can occur in the eyes.

[4] Most records come from the Colorado River Delta and the Gulf of California, as they spawn here and then travel southwest into Arizona.

Pacific tenpounders are primarily a marine form, meaning they require a higher salinity water content then most freshwater fish.

[4] Pacific ladyfish are pelagic, marine forms preferring either brackish or fresh water unless they are breeding.

Larval and juvenile stages of fish have large records of distribution near Rocky Point, in the Sea of Cortez tidal inlets.