Descriptive
Information
- Field
marks: The Spotfin Mojarra
is shinny silver in color and its epidermis consists of distinct
scaly skin. The fish contained two small pectoral fins a tail fin,
and a dorsal fin that runs from its mid back to its tail. This dorsal
fin is spiny in appearance and when erect, spiny in texture. The
Spotfin also contains a large eye and pointed mouth.. Overall, the
fish is very little.
- Size:Size
measurements were able to be taken on the Spotfin Mojarra and are
of the following:
- Body Length- 3 inches
- Body Width- 3/8 inch
- Body Height- 1.1 inches
- General
habitat: Shallow sand and
mud bottoms
- Field
Observations: The Spotfin Mojarra
was caught by a net before it was observed. This was done in the
intertidal zone of Sunshine Key, Florida. Two of our esteemed collegues
ran a 25 foot fishing net about thirty feet off shore and pulled
up a variety of marine organisms including the Spotfin Mojaraa.
Being threatened by its capture, the fish immediately erected its
dorsal fin. Upon picking it up, this sharp fin created a sense of
discomfort in my hand. To help in its defense, it wiggled and squirmed
until I was begging to put it down. If this type of defense and
protection worked on a human being, just imagine what it does in
the mouths and throats of its predators. When first placed in the
professional observation bucket, the Spotfin Mojarra tried several
times to escape via jumping. Little did he know, that us humans
are smarter than him and we repeatedly returned him to the bucket
where he finally calmed down and enabled us to take measurements.
While in the bucket, the Spotfin Mojarra kept still and allowed
us to snap photos and take video recordings. One speculation may
be that the fish was in a type of shock and possibly scared to move
because of it. After a quick observation period, the Mojarra was
returned to the ocean and swam away into the night.
- References:
Alden, Peter; Cech, Rick; Nelson, Gil. National Audubon
Society Field Guide to Florida. Chanticleer Press, Inc. New York
. Fifth Edition, July 2003. P 263
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