Key to species of the genus Atractoscion
1a Dorsal fin soft rays 21–28............................................................................. 2
1b Dorsal fin soft rays 31–34.............................................................. Atractoscion atelodus
2a Dorsal fin soft rays more than 25.........................................................................3
2b Dorsal fin soft rays 20–23 (West coast of North America)...................................... Atractoscion nobilis
3a Lateral line pored scales 75–82......................................................................... 4
3b Lateral line pored scales 71–74, mode 73 (Angola and Namibia)..................... Atractoscion macrolepis sp. nov.
4a Lateral line pored scales 75–76, mode 76 ( South Africa and Mozambique)..................... Atractoscion aequidens
4b Lateral line pored scales 76–82, mode 78 (Oman)................................... Atractoscion microlepis sp. nov.