Gulf Weakfish
Corvina del Golfo
(Cynoscion othonopterus)

Gulf Weakfish, Cynoscion othonopterus: The Gulf Weakfish has an overall silver-grey appearance with yellowish fins and is characterized by its oblique mouth that ends before the end of the eye, a projecting lower jaw, a body covered with rough scales, and especially, a concave caudal fin that makes the species fairly easy to identify.

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

Gulf Weakfish is only found within the confines of the Sea of Cortez, being absent from all other Mexican fishing waters. The Gulf Weakfish is generally found in the first 100 feet of the water column and is reported to reach just over two feet in length. It is viewed by locals as excellent table fare.

This fish species is easily confused with the White Weakfish or White Seabass, Atractoscion nobilis (ridge along its belly; inner base of pectoral fins with a black blotch). The Gulf Weakfish is also quite similar in appearance to a series of other corvinas and weakfish, including the Orangemouth Weakfish, Cynoscion xanthulum, the Shortfin Weakfish, Cynoscion parvipinnis, the Totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi, the Yellowmouth Weakfish, Cynoscion squamipinnis and the Yellowtail Weakfish, Cynoscion stolzmanni, but each of these fish have straight or pointed caudal fins.

The Gulf Weakfish is a member of the Sciaenidae family which includes croakers, corvina, stardrums and weakfish.

Gulf Weakfish picture

Gulf Weakfish, Cynoscion othonopterus: Caught while fishing at San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, at at Chileno Bay on cut squid about 75 to 100 feet deep, by Tom Klos off Chileno Bay. Photo courtesy Ed Kammer. Fish identification courtesy John Snow.

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