Species: Eugerres brasilianus, Brazilian Mojarra

Eugerres brasilianus (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1830)

Brazilian Mojarra

Body deep, rhomboidal; the lower profile of the head distinctively concave; the mouth is highly extensible, pointing downward when protruded; jaws appear toothless but have tiny, brush-like teeth; lower border of preopercle serrated; bone under front of eye with serrated border; teeth inside throat all pointed; 10 (9-11) lower gill rakers; one dorsal fin, elevated at front, IX, 2nd spine > distance between tip of snout and rear of eye; anal fin III, 7 (7-8), 2nd spine thick, long, very strong; pectoral fin long and pointed; tail fin deeply forked; scales large, conspicuous and finely rough, covering most of head and body; dorsal and anal fins fold into a high scaly sheath along their bases; 38 (37-40) pored lateral line scales; longitudinal groove on center of snout scaled, along edges, and, sometimes in center .

Body silver, a little darker on back; thin dark lines along scale rows very evident.

Size: 40cm.

Habitat: in shallow coastal areas and lagoons, also in freshwater.

Depth: 0-30 m.

Cuba and the SW Gulf of Mexico to Brazil.