Cynoscion virescens

Common Name

Green Weakfish

Year Described

Cuvier, 1830

Identification

Dorsal Fin: X; 1, 27-31
Anal Fin: II, 8-9
Pectoral Fin:
Gill Rakers: 7-11 (first arch)

Color

Body medium gray, grading to silvery on the belly. Dorsum usually with small black speckles. Fins yellowish to orange-brown. Tail darker red-brown. Inside of mouth orange.

Size

Maximum size to 95cm TL.

Habitat

Coastal waters (6-70m) over soft bottoms. Common in turbid estuarine waters, especially as juveniles.

Range

Honduras to 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.