Mojarra

The mojarra is a family of marine fish found all over the tropical regions of the globe. More than 40 species, depending on who’s counting, are currently recognized in the family. Some of the most common species include the Irish mojarra, spotfin mojarra, and silver jenny mojarra. High in nutrition, their meat is used in a wide variety of recipes. Many people from all around the world enjoy the taste of their flesh.

4 Mojarra Facts

• The mojarra are known to travel in large schools together for protection.
• Mojarra fish are commonly used as bait. Fishermen will hook them while they’re still alive to attract other kinds of predatory fish.
• These fish may have first evolved more than 55 million years ago during the Eocene period.
• The yellowfin mojarra is known to have a gyroscopic ability. This enables it to remain relatively static when water is flowing quickly around it. Other mojarra may have this ability too, but it hasn’t been studied very well.

Classification and Scientific Name

The mojarra are classified in the family Gerreidae. This may be derived from the Latin word gerres for a kind of fish. They belong to the “perch-like” order of Perciformes.

There are seven genera assigned to the mojarra (Gerreidae) family. They include:

• Ulaema
• Parequula
• Gerres
• Eugerres
• Diapterus
• Deckertichthys
• Eucinostomus

Mojarra is called by the common names sand brim, sand perch, silverbelly, and silverbiddy.

Appearance

The mojarra is a fairly small fish, usually measuring no more than 14 inches long (depending on the species), with a heavily forked tail and a series of spines that extends down the back. Their entire body is covered with shimmering silvery scales and sometimes even striped or spotted markings. Mojarra fish have a unique feature called a protractile mouth, which is longer on the bottom than the top. It forms an extended tube when the jaws open up. This helps them to feed at the bottom of the ocean floor. Males tend to be slightly larger than females, but they are otherwise similar to each other. Depending on the species, the body of the mojarra can appear either slender and smooth or a little rougher than usual.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Mojarra are found in warm, salty water near the coast and sometimes even in inland freshwater as well. They are particularly common near the Atlantic side of Central America and South America, but they’re found all throughout the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. The population numbers vary by species, but according to the IUCN Red List, most mojarras are considered to be species of least concern. They face few major threats in the wild. They are sometimes heavily fished, however.

Predators and Prey

The mojarra is an omnivorous fish that sifts along the sandy bottom of the shallow sea. Their protractile mouth helps a great deal to scoop up small plants and animals.

What eats the mojarra?

The mojarra fish is preyed upon by larger predatory fish such as sharks. The prevalence of hiding spots around the shallow coast provides a degree of protection against potential predators. They also travel together in schools to help them avoid being eaten.

What does the mojarra eat?

The mojarra feeds on plant matter, worms, shrimp, bivalves, and all types of other crustaceans on the seafloor. It spends a great deal of time every day in search of food to consume.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Mojarra gather to spawn in the warm months about once a year. They reproduce by laying their eggs at the bottom of the shallow seafloor. The dense vegetation provides protection for the eggs and later the juveniles until they are ready to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, due to a lack of study, there is still a lot about the reproductive behavior of this family of fish that we don’t understand. Scientists don’t even have a good grasp of the mojarra’s total lifespan, but some of these fish have been known to live for four years or more.

Mojarra in Fishing and Cooking

The mojarra is a popular choice of seafood all over the world. It is said to have a subtle, delicate taste that isn’t too strong or fishy, with a high amount of nutrition. They can be grilled, baked, and fried as desired. The mojarra frita, sometimes flavored with citrus, is a particularly popular recipe. However, you should be aware that the meat may contain high levels of mercury because the toxin can build up in the food chain. The amount of mercury can vary by location, but mojarra may be particularly prone to it because they eat some of the waste dumped near the shore. Consumption should probably be limited, no matter which recipes you decide to make. The FDA does not provide a recommendation for the mojarra specifically, but most marine fish should be limited to just 1 to 3 servings per week.