Fish Identification Photos: Pacific Flagfin Mojarra, Flagfin Mojarra, Eucinostomus currani: The Pacific Flagfin Mojarra is characterized by its elongated oval body, silvery-white appearance, pointed snout, and lack of distinguishing marks. It has a spiny dorsal fin that is grey at the base, and white in the center, with a wide black tip at the top. The pectoral fins are short.

The Pacific Flagfin Mojarra is a member of the Gerreidae or Mojarra Family. The Pacific Flagfin Mojarra might be confused with a series of other Mojarras found in Mexican waters which include the Dark Spot Mojarra, Eucinostomus entomelas (black gill chamber, second anal spine longest, dorsal grey with narrow black margin, long pectoral fins); the Golden Mojarra, Diapteus aureolus (separated dorsal fins, first is black tipped); the Graceful Mojarra, Eucinostomus californiensis (yellow anal and pelvic fins, anal spines are slender, the second dorsal spines is shorter than the third); and the Silver Mojarra, Eucinostomus dowii (second anal spine is the longest, the inside of the gill cover is not black),

The Pacific Flagfin Mojarra reaches a maximum length of 8 inches and is found in the first 100 feet of the water column over sandy bottoms. The Pacific Flagfin Mojarra is found in all Mexican waters including along the Pacific sides of the Baja California peninsula, throughout the Sea of Cortez, and along coastal mainland Mexico through to Guatemala; it appears to be absent from the oceanic islands however.

Pacific Flagfin Mojarra, Eucinostomus currani: Shows up when one purchases a “scoop of bait” but only on very rare occasions. Caught in the surf zone, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, during March 2005, with a water temperature of 72 degrees, early morning in 5 to 10 foot deep water, utilizing a cast net by panguero bait salesmen. Size approximately 8 inches. Viewed by locals to be of limited value. Does not survive a panga “bait tank” at a modest level. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Pacific Flagfin Mojarra, Eucinostomus currani: A Pacific Flagfin Mojarra 14 inches long, caught at Punta Colorada, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico, November 2001, on the fly by Ton van Dalen. Description and photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.