Jamaica weakfish (Cynoscion jamaicensis) fish species and information / pictures of Jamaica weakfish - Cynoscion jamaicensis

Jamaica weakfish (Cynoscion jamaicensis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Cynoscion jamaicensis

Common Name
Jamaica weakfish

Biology
Found over sand or mud bottoms from the coastline to about 60 m depth (Ref. 3702); rarely in waters with a depth of less than 18 m (Ref. 9626). Juveniles inhabit river estuaries (Ref. 3702). Oviparous, with high fecundity (Ref. 54358). Feed on fishes and crustaceans like crabs and shrimps (Ref. 35237). Important food fish (Ref. 3702).

Classification

Classified By
Vaillant & Bocourt, 1883
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Drums or croakers (Sciaenidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Panama and the Greater Antilles to Argentina. Including Lesser Antilles (Ref. 26938). Also reported in Nicaragua (Ref. 13613).
Range
11°N - 10°N, 63°W - 61°W

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
70 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range ? - 70 m (Ref. 9626), usually 18 - 55 m (Ref. 9626)
Trophic Level
4.21 s.e. 0.74 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
50.0 cm
Common Length
35.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec = 47,000)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated