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Florida mojarra (Ulaema lefroyi) — Gerreidae

Florida mojarra

Ulaema lefroyi
Family: Gerreidae
LC · Least Concern

The Florida mojarra (Ulaema lefroyi) is a saltwater fish of the family Gerreidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The mottled mojarra is a fish of the mojarra family (Gerreidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 23 cm and has a silvery, laterally compressed body with a highly protrusible mouth that can be extended downward like a tube. Adults prefer sandy shores; juveniles are more widespread in coastal waters and estuaries. With its protrusible mouth it roots in the sand bottom for small invertebrates, worms and crustaceans. The mottled mojarra is a local food and bait fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Florida mojarra?

The Florida mojarra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Florida mojarra live?

The Florida mojarra lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Florida mojarra get?

The Florida mojarra grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Florida mojarra dangerous to humans?

No, the Florida mojarra is harmless to humans.

Is the Florida mojarra edible?

The Florida mojarra is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schobbejak sourced
English name
Florida mojarra verified
Scientific name
Ulaema lefroyi
Family
Gerreidae
Other names
Florida mojarra; Grass shad; Longbone shad; Mottled mojarra verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 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
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
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Gerreidae

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