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Diadromous Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Smalltooth weakfish

Cynoscion steindachneri Jordan, 1889
Max Length
110 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
1–10 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
58.00/100
Typical Length
45 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Mostly in brackish water swamps along the coasts; also entering freshwaters . Feeds on fish, shrimps and sometimes plants . Spawning takes place in the open sea. Important food fish .

Scientific Name
Cynoscion steindachneri
Authority
Jordan, 1889
Habitat
Diadromous
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
110 cm
Depth Range
1–10 m
Latitude
9°S – 11°N
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
58.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 24; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Colour greyish above, whitish below. Dorsal fin dusky, upper margin of pectoral fins orange, pelvic fins and anal fin pale, caudal fin grey with a dark margin. Inside of mouth orange. Mouth large, distinctly oblique, lower jaw projecting. Tip of upper jaw without enlarged canines. Chin without barbels or pores. Snout with only 2 marginal pores. Pectoral fins much shorter than pelvic fins. Gas bladder with a pair of medium-sized, nearly straight, horn-like anterior appendages. Soft portion of dorsal fin almost entirely covered with small scales (Ref 51721).: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Smalltooth weakfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Smalltooth weakfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Smalltooth weakfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 10 m . Tropical; 11°N - 9°S, 46°W - 62°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.3±0.53
Food Items

fish, shrimps and sometimes plants (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00871 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
110cm
Dorsal Spines
11
Dorsal Rays
23
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
11

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
58.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
11°N – 9°S
Described By
Jordan, 1889

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Smalltooth weakfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.4 g
Omega-3 (total) 159 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Smalltooth weakfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Smalltooth weakfish
🌍CES smuha malozubá
🇫🇷French Acoupa Tident · Courbine, Acoupa trident, Cynoscion de Steindachner
🇵🇹Portuguese Corvinata-pescada · Juruapara · Pescada · Pescada-comum · Pescada-jaguara · Pescada-verdadeira · pescada-branca
🇷🇺Russian Мелкозубый горбыль
🇪🇸Spanish Corvinata Pescada · Corvinata Pintada

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 84 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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