Home · Gerreidae · Blinch
Blinch (Diapterus rhombeus) — Gerreidae

Blinch

Diapterus rhombeus
Family: Gerreidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blinch (Diapterus rhombeus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gerreidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
42.3 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
9.0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The caitipa mojarra is a fish of the mojarra family (Gerreidae) from the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 42 cm and has a deep, rhomboid, silvery body with a highly protrusible mouth that can be extended downward like a tube. It is common in mangrove-lined lagoons and over shallow mud and sand bottoms of coastal waters and estuaries, tolerating brackish and fresh water. With its protrusible mouth it roots in the bottom for small invertebrates, worms and crustaceans. The caitipa mojarra is a valued food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blinch?

The Blinch has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blinch live?

The Blinch lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Blinch get?

The Blinch grows to a maximum of about 42 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Blinch dangerous to humans?

No, the Blinch is harmless to humans.

Is the Blinch edible?

Yes, the Blinch is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ruit-mojarra sourced
English name
Blinch verified
Scientific name
Diapterus rhombeus
Family
Gerreidae
Other names
Broad shad; Caitipa Mojarra; Caitipa mojarra verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
42.3 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
9.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Diapterus

More from the family Gerreidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →