Yellowfin Mojarra

Gerres cinereus

Yellowfin Mojarra, a member of the Gerreidae family, is a silvery fish with a compressed, slim body, characterized by its deep yellow or golden spinous dorsal, pelvic, and caudal fins. It is distinguished by 6 to 8 faint vertical bars on its sides and lacks dark stripes along its scales. This species is often confused with others in its family due to similar morphological features, but its unique dorsal fin and spines help in identification. Yellowfin Mojarra thrives in subtropical coastal waters, often found in sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, mangroves, and near reefs, at depths ranging from 1 to 15 meters. This species is amphidromous, inhabiting marine, brackish, and occasionally freshwater environments. It feeds on a variety of benthic invertebrates like worms, clams, and crustaceans, with plant detritus forming a significant part of its diet. The fish can often be observed thrusting its mouth into the sand to capture prey. Yellowfin Mojarra reaches sexual maturity at two years and breeds year-round, with a peak in August. Divers may encounter Yellowfin Mojarra in small aggregations, easily approached due to their calm nature. They are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, and despite not being highly esteemed, they are a common target for commercial fisheries due to their abundance and accessibility in shallow waters.