The Common Silver-biddy – Gerres oyena is a species of fish belonging to the Gerreidae family, commonly known as mojarras. This fish can be found in various coastal areas across the Indo-Pacific region.
Description & Characteristics
The Gerres oyena is characterized by its silvery-grey body, often with a slightly yellowish hue. It has a relatively deep, compressed body and a distinctive snout. The fish typically reaches a maximum size of 30.0 cm. Its fins are generally pale, with the dorsal fin featuring a slight black edge.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Gerres oyena is a shallow-water species, inhabiting coastal areas with depths ranging from 0.0 to 20.0 meters. It prefers sandy or muddy bottoms, often found in seagrass beds and estuaries. This species is commonly found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the marine zones of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean.
Taxonomy
The Gerres oyena belongs to the family Gerreidae, which is part of the order Eupercaria incertae sedis within the Class Teleostei. This classification highlights its evolutionary relationships within the broader realm of bony fishes.
Feeding
The Gerres oyena is an omnivore, feeding on a diverse range of food sources. Its diet includes algae, aquatic plants, detritus, invertebrates, isopods, ostracodes (seed shrimps), worms, and zoobenthos. This adaptability allows it to thrive in various habitats and exploit different food resources.
Image References