Shortfin Corvina, Cynoscion parvipinnis.

Identifying Characteristics and Biology

  • Elongated body with a large mouth and projecting lower jaw.
  • Shortfin covina have a unique feature having two large upper fangs one of which retracts or can break off.
  • They are gray to blue on top fading to silver on the belly.

Range and Habitat

  • Shorfin corvina are a dermersal species.
  • They live inshore on sandy or muddy shallows feeding on small fish.
  • They are found in Easter Pacific waters, north of Mazatlan to Santa Barbara and the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez).
  • It was an introduced species to the Salton Sea in the 1950s before they died out. 

Market Forms

  • Popular sport fish in Southern California, and good eating fish.