Green weakfish
📖 Overview
Usually found over sandy mud bottoms in coastal waters near river mouths . Adults stay in deep waters during the day and swim to the surface at night . Juveniles inhabit estuaries. Marketed fresh; its flesh is of excellent quality . Its swim bladder is being used to make glue .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 31; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8. Greyish to brownish above, silvery below. Upper sides sometimes with inconspicuous minute dark dots. Dorsal fin dusky, its spinous portion black-edged. Soft dorsal fin with dark spots on each ray. Pectoral and pelvic fins as well as anal fin yellowish to orange. Caudal fin dusky. Inside mouth orange. Mouth large, distinctly oblique, lower jaw projecting. Upper jaw with a pair of large canine-like teeth at tip. Chin without barbels or pores. Snout with 2 marginal pores. Gas bladder with a pair of long, curved, horn-like appendages. Sagitta (large earstone) elongate, with a notch on dorsal margin. Soft portion of dorsal fin membranes unscaled except 2 or 3 rows of scales at base (Ref 51721).: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Green weakfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 6 - 70 m . Tropical; 14°N - 24°S, 84°W - 34°W
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Green weakfish is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 208 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Green weakfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cynoscion verescens | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Otolithus virescens | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 81 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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