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Bulky Mojarra (Gerres oblongus) — Gerreidae

Bulky Mojarra

Gerres oblongus
Family: Gerreidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bulky Mojarra (Gerres oblongus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gerreidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coral-rich areas and sandy reef margins.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The slender silverbiddy is a fish of the mojarra family (Gerreidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a highly protrusible mouth that it can extend downward as a tube to sift the bottom. It prefers coral-rich areas and migrates to specific sandy areas near the outer reef edge to spawn in the late afternoons during full moon. On the bottom it sifts small invertebrates from the sediment. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bulky Mojarra?

The Bulky Mojarra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Highly protrusible tube mouth for sifting the bottom; spawns at full moon on sandy reef edges.

Where does the Bulky Mojarra live?

The Bulky Mojarra lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; coral-rich areas and sandy reef margins.

How big does the Bulky Mojarra get?

The Bulky Mojarra grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Bulky Mojarra dangerous to humans?

No, the Bulky Mojarra is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bulky Mojarra edible?

Yes, the Bulky Mojarra is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bulky Mojarra (Gerres oblongus) — Gerreidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bulky Mojarra (Gerres oblongus) — Gerreidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bulky Mojarra (Gerres oblongus) — Gerreidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Martin Holladay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bulky Mojarra (Gerres oblongus) — Gerreidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) barthazes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bulky Mojarra verified
Scientific name
Gerres oblongus
Family
Gerreidae
Other names
Elongate silver-biddy; Largebodied silverbiddy; Large-bodied silver-biddy; Mojarra; Slender silver-biddy; Slender silverbiddy; Oblong mojarra; Oblong pursemouth; Oblong silverbelly; Oblong silverbiddy; Oblong-mojarra; Silver biddy verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coral-rich areas and sandy reef margins. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates from the sediment sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Highly protrusible tube mouth for sifting the bottom; spawns at full moon on sandy reef edges. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gerres

More from the family Gerreidae

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