Home · Gerreidae · Shortfin mojarra
Shortfin mojarra (Eugerres brevimanus) — Gerreidae

Shortfin mojarra

Eugerres brevimanus
Family: Gerreidae

The Shortfin mojarra (Eugerres brevimanus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gerreidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others

Want the complete picture on the Shortfin mojarra?

Get the app

Description

The shortfin mojarra is a mojarra (Gerreidae) from shallow coastal, estuarine and mangrove water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, shiny silver body with a highly protrusible, downward-pointing mouth. As a bottom-oriented fish it takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortfin mojarra?

The Shortfin mojarra has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Shortfin mojarra live?

The Shortfin mojarra lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others

How big does the Shortfin mojarra get?

The Shortfin mojarra grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Shortfin mojarra dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortfin mojarra 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Shortfin mojarra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Shortfin mojarra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Shortfin mojarra sourced
Scientific name
Eugerres brevimanus
Family
Gerreidae
Other names
Periche mojarra; Short fin mojarra; Shortfin mojarra; Mojarra verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Eugerres

More from the family Gerreidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Shortfin mojarra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Shortfin mojarra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Shortfin mojarra? Get the app