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The mojarra is a type of small fish that lives predominantly in tropical waters throughout the Caribbean and on the Atlantic coast of parts of South and Central America. The mojarra name is actually a surname and may be interchangeable with the official surname Gerridae. More than 50 species of fish can be included in the family. They are all members of the scientific class Actinopterygii and the order Perciformes. There are some differences between species, but in general all included fish are relatively small with shiny silvery scales; they often have deeply forked tails and protruding mouths, which they use to discover food buried in the deep sea. They are often eaten by humans, especially the larger varieties, although they are also very commonly used as live bait in fishing. The way fish are identified and their appearance can vary depending on the species and the precise location.
physical characteristics
These fish are almost always silver with striped spots that sometimes look like painted rods. They typically have a deeply forked tail and a dorsal fin that has a pronounced tip that extends down the back. Members of the family have 24 vertebrae and a conspicuously pointed “snout”, more formally known as a “protractile mouth”; it is longer at the bottom than at the top, allowing the fist to sift through the sand at the bottom of shallow areas of the sea to find food. Fish normally feed on small invertebrates such as worms and plant matter.
Most are small fish, although there may be some variety between species. Its maximum length is usually around 35 cm (1.15 ft), although males can reach up to 40 cm (1.32 ft).
Where they live
Members of this family of fish predominantly live in the warm tropical waters of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Cuba, and much of Central and South America, including Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Mexico and the Gulf Coast of the United States also see many species. They tend to be called different things in different places and can occur in different varieties in different types of water. Common English names for crappie include blinch, broad shad, sea patwa, and silver perch. Tilapia is also sometimes included, but this is not technically correct; Tilapia is a member of a different fish family, although it shares many of the same physical characteristics.
The crappie is most commonly found in the ocean, but it also sometimes inhabits brackish water, which is a mixture of fresh and salt water. Inland creeks and streams are good examples of brackish habitats, and these places are often home to younger fish or smaller varieties.
As the fish in this family feed mainly on worms and algae that grow on the bottom of the sea, they are often found swimming near the bottom of the water. They generally prefer naturally shallow island waters for these reasons, but have been found as deep as 229 feet (70 meters).
Geographic Variations and Identification
It is common for different species and variations to live more commonly in one place than another, and local farmers and fishermen often have their own ways of classifying and identifying them. The coasts of Mexico have some of the widest varieties of this family of fish, including the black spot, the sea bream and the flag fin. Gerridae fish in the Mexican region tend to have large, rough scales covering their bodies, while others have thin bodies without the dark bars on the sides more typical of fish found elsewhere. Sometimes the best way to classify fish is to study characteristics other than their external appearance, including skeletal structure and the arrangement of teeth and fins.
human uses
The main uses of these fish are as food and as bait. Larger varieties are often sold for human consumption and can be grilled, roasted, or fried; they tend to have a delicate flavor that is not overly “fishy”. They are also a valuable food group for several larger fish, including sharks, and this makes them valuable as live bait. Anglers catch smaller varieties while they are still alive and use them to attract larger fish. This is a particularly popular tactic in sport fishing.