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Bangamarymother (Cynoscion virescens) — Sciaenidae

Bangamarymother

Cynoscion virescens
Family: Sciaenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bangamarymother (Cynoscion virescens) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sciaenidae that grows up to 115 cm.

Length
115 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
6.0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Coastal waters and river mouths of eastern South America.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The green weakfish (Cynoscion virescens) is a large drum of the family Sciaenidae from coastal waters of eastern South America. The species has a streamlined, silvery-green body and can reach about 1.1 metres. It lives mainly over sandy-mud bottoms in coastal waters near river mouths; juveniles stay in estuaries. By day the fish stay in deeper water and at night they swim to the surface. The diet consists of fishes and shrimps. The species is an important food fish with flesh of excellent quality and is marketed fresh; it is fished commercially and recreationally.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bangamarymother?

The Bangamarymother has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Migrates to the surface at night; valued food fish with excellent flesh.

Where does the Bangamarymother live?

The Bangamarymother lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Coastal waters and river mouths of eastern South America.

How big does the Bangamarymother get?

The Bangamarymother grows to a maximum of about 115 cm. On average the species is around 65 cm.

Is the Bangamarymother dangerous to humans?

No, the Bangamarymother is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bangamarymother edible?

Yes, the Bangamarymother is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bangamarymother (Cynoscion virescens) — Sciaenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Nhering Daniel Ortiz Lobo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Bangamarymother verified
Scientific name
Cynoscion virescens
Family
Sciaenidae
Other names
Green weakfish; Salmon; Sea trout verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
115.0 verified
Average length (cm)
65.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Natural range
Coastal waters and river mouths of eastern South America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and shrimps sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Migrates to the surface at night; valued food fish with excellent flesh. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait or lures near river mouths; more active at the surface at night. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cynoscion

More from the family Sciaenidae

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