Yellowfin Mojarra: The Reef's Quiet Sand-Sifter

The yellowfin mojarra is a tidy, bright-silver fish that patrols the sandy edges of the reef, sifting the bottom for small creatures. Its yellow-tinged fins give it away. Here's how to spot one near Jacó, plus five fun facts.

Yellowfin Mojarra · Gerres cinereus

How to spot the yellowfin mojarra near Jacó

Look over sandy patches near the rocks for a deep-bodied silver fish with faint vertical bars and a hint of yellow in the fins. Mojarras often feed alone or in small groups, tilting down to pick through the sand.

5 fun facts about the yellowfin mojarra

• A sand-sifter. The mojarra extends its mouth into a downward tube to dig small worms and crustaceans out of the sand.
• Those yellow fins. A wash of yellow in the pelvic fins gives this silver fish both its name and a handy field mark.
• Found on both coasts of the Americas. Gerres cinereus ranges through warm Atlantic and Eastern Pacific waters alike.
• Faint bars that come and go. Light vertical bars on its sides can fade and brighten depending on mood and surroundings.
• A quiet reef neighbor. Unflashy and peaceful, mojarras are easy to overlook — but once you spot one, you'll keep noticing them.

The yellowfin mojarra is just one of many characters down there. See the whole cast in our Snorkel Jaco fish directory, or read real guest photos and reviews on the Snorkel Jaco reviews.