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fishing forecast

white-eye

Oxyzygonectes dovii · Anablepidae · omnivore

FreshwaterEstuaryessential profile

Small fish from low rivers and brackish waters of the Pacific coast of Central America, a relative of the four-eyed fishes. It is hardly ever caught on rod and line.

Also called: peixe-olho-branco, olho-branco, ojos blancos, white-eye

Scientific illustration of White-eye
maximum
15 cm
location

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period

Reading the weather across 3 global models and 31 simulations…

the species

everything about the white-eye

overview

who is the white-eye

The white-eye is a small fish of the family Anablepidae, the same as the four-eyed fishes, and reaches 15 cm. It lives in low-altitude rivers on the Pacific slope of Central America, between Nicaragua and the Azuero peninsula in Panama, and many live in brackish water. It does not migrate. It feeds on detritus, algae and, sometimes, on land insects that fall into the water. It is not a sport fish: it appears in commercial fishing and the aquarium trade, and it has already been bred in captivity.

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 white-eye; in the meantime, see the similar species.

fun facts

  • It has already been bred in captivity.
how to recognize it

identification

Small, elongated fish, similar to a sardine, up to 15 cm. The best guide is the place: low-altitude rivers and brackish waters of the Pacific slope, from Nicaragua to Panama. It lives near the bottom. On the same coast, the Pacific four-eyed fish (Anableps dowii) is a close relative, but its eyes are split into two parts, which sets it apart.

distribution

where found

open on the large map

Pacific slope of Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, in low-altitude rivers and brackish areas.

Habitat: Low-altitude rivers, up to 15 meters above sea level, and brackish waters, near the bottom.

what the law says

rules for the white-eye

Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.

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 a small, fragile fish: handle it with wet hands and return it to the water quickly, without holding it for long.

calculator

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00389, b = 3.12; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). 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.

  1. scientific FishBase: Oxyzygonectes dovii (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
  2. scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Oxyzygonectes doviiNames by country and language.
don't confuse

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