Latin name

Gerres cinereus

Other names

Yellowfin Mojarra

Identification

They are small, silvery, and have an elongated mouth. The upper jaw of the mojarra is placed in a certain gap when the mouth is not extended, or compressed. When feeding, the mouth bulges out and points downward. The dorsal and anal fins are scaly along the base, and the gill membranes are not connected to the isthmus. The first, or barbed, dorsal fin is high in front and flows smoothly into the second, or soft-beam, dorsal fin. The tail is deeply forked.

Distribution

The spotted mojarra (Eucinostomus argenteus) is common in the western Atlantic Ocean off the coast from New Jersey to Brazil. It is found in the eastern Pacific along the coast from Southern California to Peru. The yellowfin mojarra (Gerres cinereus) is common in Florida and the Caribbean.

Habitat

There are about 40 species in this family, some of which occur in brackish water and several in fresh water. Some species are observed in whole flocks on sandy, shallow shoals.

Size

Most mojarra is less than 10 inches long.

Life history and Behavior

No information

Food and feeding habits

They are important to predatory fish species and are used as bait by some anglers.

Reproduction

No information