Eucinostomus argenteus

Eucinostomus argenteus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Gerreidae
Genus:	Eucinostomus
Species:	E. argenteus
Binomial name
Eucinostomus argenteus S. F. Baird & Girard, 1855

The spotfin mojarra (Eucinostomus argenteus) is a species of fish belonging to the family Gerreidae. It is so named for the black spot that appears on the anterior part of the dorsal fin.

Description

Mojarras are silvery in color and fairly diamond-shaped. They have smooth scales, anal spines, and forked tails. Mojarras have a single dorsal fin, with spines of decreasing length along the fin. The dorsal and anal fins have scaly sheaths at their bases. A unique feature of the Gerreidae family to which it belongs is the mouth, as the upper jaw extends downward when the mouth is opened and forms a tube. When the mouth is closed, the lower jaw is concave, providing another distinctive feature. The spotfin mojarra has a black spot on the anterior part of the dorsal fin. This species also has a groove on the top of its snout that lack scales, and generally has a more slender body than other species of mojarras. On the upper part of the body, faint, irregular bars are visible.1

Distribution and habitat

Mojarras are tropical species, but a small number of juvenile fish have been found in the Lower Hudson at Bowline Pond and Indian Point.1

References

1. Smith, L. C. The Inland Fishes of New York State. New York: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 1985, pp. 428. 2. Wheeler, A. Fishes of the World. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. 1975, pp. 196