Cynoscion leiarchus

Common Name

Smooth Weakfish

Year Described

Cuvier, 1830

Identification

Dorsal Fin: X; 1, 20-24
Anal Fin: II, 10-12
Pectoral Fin:
Gill Rakers: 8-11 (first arch)

Color

Body greenish-gray above and silvery on the flanks and belly. Faint small spots on the dorsum. Fins dusky yellow. Dorsal fins with darker edging. Caudal fin darker than other fins with a paler lower lobe.

Size

Maximum size to 60cm TL.

Habitat

Shallow coastal waters (1-50m) and estuaries over soft bottoms. Common in the surf zone.

Range

Colombia to S. Brazil (continental coasts only).

References

Chao, N.L. 2002. Sciaenidae (pp. 1583-1653). In: Carpenter. 2002. The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Vol. 3: Bony fishes part 2 (Opistognathidae to Molidae). FAO Species Identification Guides for Fisheries Purposes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Special Publication No. 5. FAO of the U.N., Rome.