| Family: |
Gerreidae (Mojarras) |
| Max. size: |
41 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 530.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 15 m, amphidromous |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Bermuda and Florida, USA; Bahamas, northern Gulf of Mexico, around Caribbean, including Antilles and south American coast (Ref. 26938) to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. |
| Diagnosis: |
Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Silvery with about seven faint pinkish bars on side on body; pelvic fins yellow (Ref. 13442). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits shallow coastal waters in open sandy and surf areas, seagrass beds, near reefs, and mangrove channels (Ref. 7251). Enters brackish water, sometimes even fresh water (Ref. 3722). May occur in small aggregations (Ref. 3722). Feeds on benthic invertebrates such as worms, clams, crustaceans (Ref. 3722); also feeds on insects (Ref. 9303). Often seen feeding in sand patches among reefs by thrusting its mouth into the sediment and expelling sand from the gill openings (Ref. 13442). Easily approached (Ref. 9710). Marketed fresh but not highly esteemed; also processed into fishmeal (Ref. 3722). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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