jenny mojarra
Eucinostomus gula
Small fish of lagoons and mangroves, relative of the carapicus, which lives in groups and is used as bait. It has little commercial importance and is almost never caught on a rod.
Also called: primituma, carapicu, mojarra, silver jenny
- maximum
- 26 cm
- depth
- 0–55 m
who is the jenny mojarra
Fish of the family Gerreidae, the mojarras (carapicus and carapebas). It reaches 25.5 cm and lives in shallow waters, 0 to 55 m, mainly on mud bottoms in lagoons and mangrove-lined channels. It may form groups and probably eats small bottom invertebrates. It occurs from the North American Atlantic and Bermuda to Argentina, including Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. In fishing it is used as bait 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 jenny mojarra; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- Enters fresh water in regions of limestone rock.
identification
Spindle-shaped, silvery body, with the dorsal fin in two parts, one of spines and one of soft rays, a family trait. It looks like the carapicu (Eucinostomus argenteus), the carapeba (Diapterus rhombeus) and the carapicu-bandeira (Eucinostomus melanopterus), which live in the same region. The primituma is more abundant in mud lagoons lined with mangroves, and that habitat 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 Argentina, including Brazil.
Habitat: Shallow waters of lagoons, mangroves and mud bottoms, 0 to 55 m; sometimes on sand with marine vegetation.
coast
rules for the jenny 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.
Not dangerous to people. If used as bait, it must be kept alive in clean water.
in the kitchen
Sold fresh, but not very prized.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01122, 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 gula (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 gulaNames 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.
