Yellowfin Mojarra

Gerres cinereus

Yellowfin Mojarra (Gerres cinereus) is a small silvery inshore fish common in tropical Atlantic and Caribbean coastal waters. It often schools over sand, mud, and seagrass in shallow bays, estuaries, and mangroves, feeding on small benthic invertebrates.

Saltwater

Yellowfin Mojarra reference image — Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Bright yellow to golden wash on the fins, especially the caudal and dorsal fins
Deep, laterally compressed silver body with a small mouth
Distinct dark spot at the upper base of the pectoral fin

Habitat

Shallow tropical coastal waters over sand, mud, seagrass, oyster bottoms, and channels; frequent in bays, estuaries, mangrove edges, and surf-zone flats.

Bait notes

Small pieces of shrimp, sandworm, bloodworm, clam, or squid work well; tiny jigs, baited sabiki-style rigs, and small soft plastics fished near bottom can take them.

Behavior

Forms loose schools and feeds near the bottom on worms, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates, often foraging in turbid water and at dawn, dusk, or on moving tides.

Caution

Dorsal and anal spines can puncture hands; handle carefully. It is a small food fish, but always check local advisories and size/bag limits before keeping any.

Fishing notes

Use light tackle and small hooks with fine leader; fish bait on bottom around sandy edges, mangroves, and channels, especially where current moves food along the bottom.