Fish Identification Photos: Silver Mojarra, Dow’s Mojarra, Eucinostomus dowii: The Silver Mojarra is characterized by its slender elongated body, silvery-white appearance, pointed snout, and lack of distinguishing marks.

The second anal spine is the longest and the caudal fin of the Silver Mojarra is deeply forked. The inside of the gill cover is not black.

The Silver Mojarra is a member of the Gerreidae or Mojarra Family. The Silver 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 (separted 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 Pacific Flagfin Mojarra, Eucinostomus currani (spiny dorsal fin with grey base, white center and a wide black tip).

The Silver Mojarra reaches a maximum length of 7.5 inches and is found in the first 100 feet of the water column over sandy bottoms.

The Silver Mojarra is found in all Mexican waters including along the Pacific sides of the Baja California Sur peninsula, throughout the Sea of Cortez and along coastal mainland Mexico through to Guatemala; it appears to be absent from the oceanic islands however.

Silver Mojarra, Eucinostomus dowii: Shows up when one purchases a “scoop of bait.” Caught on very rare occasions in the surf zone, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, during the winter months with water temperatures below 75-degrees, early morning in 5 to 10-foot deep water, utilizing a cast net by a panguero bait salesmen. Size of 7 inches and virtually weightless. Not viewed by locals to be of great value. Does survive a panga “bait tank” at a high level. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Fish identification courtesy of Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama.