Parona Leatherjacket
The Parona leatherjacket is a native marine species found along the entire Argentine Atlantic coast, from the Buenos Aires province shoreline south to Patagonia.
Historically described as quite common throughout Argentine coastal waters, it turns up in artisanal and commercial catches around Mar del Plata and is occasionally targeted by shore and small-boat anglers working soft-bottom coastal areas.
Scientific Name: Parona signata
Also known as Palometa, Palometa pintada, Lenguado
- Deep, diamond-shaped body with a small head; silvery below, dark gray on the back — distinctly compressed and tall for a fish in the jack family.
- The clearest field mark is a dark blotch on the upper gill cover (opercle), plus a conspicuous oval black spot just under the pectoral fin.
- Tail is deeply forked; fins run dusky to dark; no scutes on the straight rear portion of the lateral line, which undulates with roughly 10 short branches toward the head.
- Common size around 40 cm (roughly 16 in); maximum recorded at 60 cm (24 in).
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the southwest Atlantic; in Argentina the range runs from the Buenos Aires coast south through Patagonia to the southern tip of the country.
- A marine, demersal species — lives and feeds near the bottom in coastal zones, generally over soft substrates rather than hard reef.
- Subtropical in preference, occupying the band from roughly 9°S to 37°S, which puts the core Argentine range around the Buenos Aires and northern Patagonian coast.
- Reported as common throughout the Argentine coast in early 20th-century surveys; still present in artisanal fisheries centered on Mar del Plata.
Key Locations
- Mar del Plata — the primary documented location for this species in Argentina; both artisanal and commercial fleets work it here.
- Buenos Aires province coastline — historically described as common throughout this stretch of the Argentine Atlantic shore.
- Northern Patagonian coast — within the species' documented southern range along the Argentine seaboard.
Specific Spots
- Soft sandy or muddy bottom in nearshore coastal zones — this is where the species forages and where artisanal nets find it consistently.
- Shallow coastal margins close to port areas like Mar del Plata, where baitfish concentrate and demersal species follow.
- Open coastal water rather than structured reef; look for it where the bottom transitions from hard to soft substrate.
Parona Leatherjacket FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Parona Leatherjacket?
Jigs worked near the bottom are a reliable choice, match the weight to the depth and current so the lure stays in the strike zone close to the soft substrate where this fish feeds.
When is the best time to fish for Parona Leatherjacket?
Spawning activity documented in March (late summer/early autumn) and November (spring) at Mar del Plata, which may correspond to periods of increased coastal presence and catchability.
How do you catch Parona Leatherjacket?
Most Argentine catches come from artisanal and small commercial boats working soft-bottom coastal grounds, particularly around Mar del Plata. Shore anglers fishing piers or beaches with bottom rigs and natural bait also encounter this species along the Buenos Aires coast.
What do Parona Leatherjacket eat?
Sources don't detail specific prey items for this species in Argentine waters, but its carangid body plan and coastal demersal habit point toward small fish and invertebrates near the bottom, jigs and natural baits (cut fish, squid) are the reported go-to presentations.
Where do Parona Leatherjacket live?
Native to the southwest Atlantic; in Argentina the range runs from the Buenos Aires coast south through Patagonia to the southern tip of the country. A marine, demersal species, lives and feeds near the bottom in coastal zones, generally over soft substrates rather than hard reef.
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