Habitat, biology, and fisheries
Inhabits shallow coastal waters, but also reported from depths as great as 70 m; often forms large schools. Apparently able to tolerate a wide range of salinities, from hypersaline to almost fresh; frequently found in brackish-water bays and estuaries. Spawns in harbours, estuaries, and sounds, as well as offshore (innercontinental shelf) during spring and summer; in Terminos Lagoon, Mexico, eggs restricted to polyhaline waters close to the Puerto Real inlet and central zone of the lagoon. Eggs elliptical (about 1.4 to 1.6mmby 0.7 to 0.85 mm), transparent, without oil globule, yolk appearing ‘cellular’. Relative fecundity and minimum size at maturity for females in Terminos Lagoon, Mexico, estimated to be 1,298 eggs/g and 85.5 mm, respectively.Feeds on copepods when young, then also on gastropods, foraminifera, ostracods, and an occasional annelid. Adults feed on small planktonic and bottom-living animals. No special fishery; it does not appear to be widely exploited. Caught with beach and boat seines; also with fine-mesh trawls.Used as a foodfish to the north of the area, perhaps also in this area. Separate statistics are not reported for this species.
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