Blacktip Mojarra

The Blacktip Mojarra (Gerres oyena) is a marine and brackish species commonly associated with reef environments, inhabiting depths ranging from 1 to 20 meters. This fish can reach a maximum length of 30 cm, although it is more commonly observed at around 20 cm.

The Blacktip Mojarra predominantly inhabits coastal regions, saltwater lagoons, and estuaries, as well as sand-bottom areas in sheltered waters adjacent to reefs. It can be found either individually or in groups and primarily feeds on small organisms dwelling in sandy substrates.

Characterized by its silvery body, the Blacktip Mojarra displays 6 to 8 irregular, faint dusky oblique and vertical bands both dorsolaterally and ventrolaterally, features that are more noticeable in younger individuals or those under stress or preservation. Its U-shaped premaxilla groove generally lacks scales, with only tiny scales present anteriorly in specimens exceeding 13 cm in length. The maxillary extends beyond a vertical line through the anterior margin of the pupil. The species possesses three supraneural bones, a faint dusky patch on the spinous dorsal fin (spines 2 to 6), and narrow dusky distal margins on the membranes between the spines. Typically, scales between the 5th dorsal fin spine and lateral line number between 3 and 4, often 3.5. The pelvic fin is semi-transparent or dull yellow with an indistinct dusky band and dull white distal margin posteriorly when fresh; the pectoral fins extend beyond the level of the anus; the caudal fin is deeply forked with elongated lobes.

The Blacktip Mojarra is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the 🌊 Red Sea to 🇿🇦 South Africa, extending eastward to the Marshall and 🇼🇸 Samoa Islands, northward to the Ryukyu Islands (🇯🇵 Japan), and southward to Queensland, 🇦🇺 Australia (including the Great Barrier Reef) and 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (🇫🇷 Overseas France).

This species is often utilized in the production of fish meal and as duck feed and is commonly sold fresh in markets.