Mojarras are often found in coastal lagoons and estuaries with sandy or muddy bottoms near mangroves. They can be found in school, small group or singly. They feed on small invertebrates gleaned from the bottom by taking up mouthfuls of substrate and expelling sand and debris.
There are 7 genera and about 51 species of Gerreidae worldwide. Malaysia has 2 genera and about 9 species.