striped weakfish (maria-mole)
Cynoscion striatus
A bottom-dwelling weakfish, from southern Brazil to central Argentina, caught by the commercial fleet.
Also called: maria-mole, pescadinha, pescadilla, striped weakfish
- maximum
- 60 cm
who is the striped weakfish (maria-mole)
The maria-mole is a fish of the family Sciaenidae, with a spindle-shaped body that reaches 60 cm. It lives near the bottom, in waters down to 60 m, from southern Brazil to central Argentina, including Uruguay. Like other weakfish of the genus Cynoscion, it has a large mouth and a projecting lower jaw, and its tail is slightly notched. Its main fishery is commercial. It is also called pescadinha, and in Uruguay and Argentina, pescadilla.
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 striped weakfish (maria-mole); in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- In Uruguay and Argentina it is called pescadilla.
identification
A spindle-shaped body with a large mouth and projecting lower jaw, typical of the Cynoscion weakfish. The tail is slightly notched, almost straight, which helps tell it from other weakfish. The region also helps: it occurs from southern Brazil to central Argentina, where it coexists with the olhuda weakfish (pescada-olhuda).
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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
It lives in the southwestern Atlantic, from southern Brazil to central Argentina, including Uruguay. In Latin America it is found in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
Habitat: Near the bottom, in waters down to 60 m.
coast
rules for the striped weakfish (maria-mole)
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 is harmless to handle. Release small specimens quickly, without leaving them out of the water for long.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01047, b = 2.97; 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: Cynoscion striatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Cynoscion striatusNames 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.
