Slender, compressed silvery body that tapers to a forked tail. Spiny dorsal fin with dusky margin; tips of caudal fin may be dusky. Pointed snout with a small forward-facing mouth. Premaxillary groove above head scaleless. Smaller specimens with dark/oblique bars and spots that fade with age
Average Maximum Size:
20.32 cm (8 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
Spotfin Mojarra are more slender than Silver Jenny and are comparatively found in more fresh and brackish environments. The premaxillary groove is entirely scaleless on Spotfin Mojarra but is interrupted by a row of scales on the Silver Jenny, this characteristic may be more visable when utilizing a magnifying glass.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
NA
Range:
North Carolina to Gulf of Mexico
Habitat:
Found in coastal waters with soft sandy bottoms, along beaches, estuaries, mangroves, and around reefs. Can enter freshwater.
