Cynoscion steindachneri (Jordan, 1889)
Smalltooth weakfish
Cynoscion steindachneri
photo by Krumme, U.

Family:  Sciaenidae (Drums or croakers)
Max. size:  110 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Guyana to northern Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-24; Anal spines: 2-2; 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).
Biology:  Mostly in brackish water swamps along the coasts; also entering freshwaters (Ref. 3702). Feeds on fish, shrimps and sometimes plants (Ref. 35237). Spawning takes place in the open sea. Important food fish (Ref. 3702).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 October 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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