flagfin mojarra
Eucinostomus melanopterus
Coastal carapicu of sand and mud bottoms, entering estuaries and lagoons. It has a black spot on the dorsal fin that makes it easy to recognize, and it is hardly ever caught on rod and reel.
Also called: carapicu-bandeira, mojarra bandera, flagfin mojarra
- maximum
- 30 cm
- record/max.
- 0.0 kg
- depth
- 0–25 m
who is the flagfin mojarra
Fish of the family Gerreidae, the mojarras (carapicus and carapebas). It reaches 30 cm and lives in shallow waters, from 0 to 25 m, near the coast, in estuaries, lagoons and brackish rivers. It eats fish, shrimp, mollusks and zooplankton, as well as detritus. It forages by day, in small groups, close to the bottom. It ranges from the southern United States and Bermuda to Brazil, and also occurs in western Africa. It is sold fresh but is not much prized, and has little commercial importance.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the flagfin mojarra; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- Juveniles of a snook species copy the black spot on the dorsal fin, a case of aggressive mimicry.
identification
Spindle-shaped, compressed body, with a pointed snout and a mouth that projects well forward. The back is olive and the flanks are silvery. The easiest mark is the black spot at the tip of the spiny part of the dorsal fin, underlined by a whitish stripe. Juveniles may have vertical dark bars on the back and flanks. It resembles the carapicu (Eucinostomus argenteus) and the primituma (Eucinostomus gula), but the dorsal spot helps identify it.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America it occurs from Mexico and the Caribbean to Brazil, in estuaries and lagoons. It also occurs on the west coast of Africa.
Habitat: Sand and mud bottoms in estuaries, lagoons and brackish rivers, 0 to 25 m.
coast
rules for the flagfin mojarra
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It poses no danger to people. Handle it with wet hands and return it to the water quickly.
in the kitchen
It is sold fresh, but it is not much prized.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01047, b = 3.07; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Eucinostomus melanopterus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Eucinostomus melanopterusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
