Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body slender, compressed; color silvery; snout pointed; lower jaw profile concave; strongly protrusible jaws that point downward when extended; edge of preopercle is smooth; tail deeply forked; anal fin spines not much longer than rays; dorsal fin spines dusky at edge; premaxillary groove (on top of snout anterior to eyes) not interrupted by a transverse row of scales (usually can only be determined under a magnifier). |
Similar Species |
Very similar to the silver jenny, but the spotfin mojarra has a more slender body, is usually found in lower salinity waters, and does not have a row of scales on premaxillary groove (hard to see without .magnifier). |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, prefers sandy bottoms |
Maximum Size |
20 cm (8 in), common to 15 cm (6 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. IX,10; A. III,7 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |