Species: Cynoscion acoupa, Acoupa Weakfish

Cynoscion acoupa (Lacepede, 1801)

Acoupa Weakfish

Elongate, fusiform, compressed, oval cross-section; head low, not spongy on top; eye moderate; mouth large, oblique, lower jaw slightly projecting; teeth in multiple rows with 1-2 large canines at tip of upper jaw, lower jaw with an inner row of large teeth that gradually increase in size to the rear; gill rakers long and slender, 10-16; no pores or barbels on chin; 2 pores on side of snout; margin of preopercle smooth; top corner of gill opening notched; dorsal rays X + I, 17-22 (usually 18-20); anal rays II, small (< ½ length of 1st ray) weak spines, 8 (7-9); pectoral fins about = to pelvic fins; rear margin of tail with blunt angular point; scales large, rough on body, smooth on head; body scales equal or larger than lateral line scales; soft dorsal with 2-3 rows of small scales on base; lateral line arched anteriorly and straight well before level of anus, extends to the center of the end of the tail fin.

Body uniform silver; with diffuse dark areas along base of dorsal fins; lower head and body, and lower parts of pectoral, pelvic and anal yellowish orange; inside opercle dusky.

Size: reaches 120 cm.

Inhabits sandy-mud and rocky bottoms of coastal waters, including estuaries, mangrove swamps and river mouths; enters freshwater.

Depth: 1-22 m.

Panama to Brazil.