About This Presentation

Transcription

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2 About This Presentation This presentation is meant to be a general reference for some of the common fish species found on and near Collier County s artificial and natural reef systems. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list. It is intended for recreational divers and spear fishermen, anglers, educators, resource managers and/or anyone interested in learning more about the biodiversity associated with our area s local reefs. Each slide has the fish s scientific name, associated family, general remarks about its presence on reefs (based on local staff observations), and basic field identification tips, and size. For species that are typically targeted by fishermen, links to state and federal (Gulf) fishing regulations are provided; This presentation is NOT meant to be a substitute for regulations and individuals should consult the appropriate regulatory agency for updated harvesting regulations. Image credit: Bryan Fluech

3 Fish Species by Slide Number Species Slide Number Goliath grouper 4 Red grouper 5 Gag grouper 6 Scamp grouper 7 Black grouper 8 Whitespoted soapfish 9 Belted sandfish 10 Sand perch 11 Mangrove snapper 12 Lane snapper 13 Yellowtail snapper 14 Tomtate 15 Porkfish 16 White grunt 17 Bluestriped grunt 18 Greater amberjack 19 Species Slide Number Almaco jack 20 Permit 21 Blue runner 22 Bar jack 23 Lookdown 24 Round scad 25 Sheepshead 26 Knobbed porgy 27 Pinfish 28 Cobia 29 Pearly razorfish 30 Hogfish 31 Slippery dick 32 Great barracuda 33 Cocoa damselfish 34 Threadfin herring 35 Scaled sardine 36 Blue angelfish 37 Species Slide Number Gray angelfish 38 Spotfin butterflyfish 39 Polka dot batfish 40 Fringed filefish 41 Spotfin jawfish 42 Yellowhead jawfish 43 Lined seahorse 44 Whitenose pipefish 45 Bandtail pufferfish 46 Common snook 47 Atlantic spadefish 48 Blue goby 49 Tiger goby 50 Seaweed blenny 51 Gray triggerfish 52 Gulf flounder 53 Sharksucker 54 Sand diver 55 Cubbyu 56 Species Jackknife fish Slide Number 57 Gulf toadfish 58 Bermuda/Yellow Chub 59 Southern stingray Nurse shark Lionfish

4 Goliath Grouper: Epinephelus itajara Family Serranidae Common on artificial reefs particularly with overhangs and high structure Blotchy, often with broken bars along body Round caudal fin Can reach over 6 feet in length and 600 pounds Image credit: Bryan Fluech PROTECTED SPECIES HARVEST PROHIBITED

5 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Image credit: fsu.edu Red Grouper: Epinephelus morio Family Serranidae Common on low relief structures, solution holes and natural hard bottom Reddish brown color Diffuse pale blotches and spots Juveniles have pale bluish borders on rear dorsal, anal and caudal fins Can reach up to 3 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

6 Image credit: UF/IFAS Image credit: Carol and Bob Cox Gag Grouper: Mycteroperca microlepis Family Serranidae Fairly common along natural and artificial ledges and hard bottom Pale to dark gray or olive-gray Blotched markings give body a marbled appearance Can reach 3 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

7 Image credits: NOAA Scamp Grouper: Mycteroperca phenax Family Serranidae Occasionally found on wrecks and ledges in deeper waters Grayish brown with small close-set darker spots Corners of mouth yellow Caudal fin concave, unevenly serrated Can reach 2 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

8 Image credit: NOAA Image credit: reefguide.net Black Grouper: Mycteroperca bonaci Family Serranidae Rare; occasionally seen in deeper waters near wrecks and natural hardbottom environments Head and body grayish to dark brown with grayish, brownish or reddish spots that blend into streaks and rectangular chain-like patterns Colors can vary Can reach 4 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

9 Image credit: Whitespotted Soapfish: Rypticus maculatus Family Serranidae Commonly found on artificial reefs and natural ledges; usually found under ledges and other structure Brownish with scattered white spots on uppers sides of body Pale white band running between eyes to upper portion of head Can reach up to 8 inches in length

10 Belted Sandfish: Serranus subligarius Family Serranidae Commonly found on natural and artificial reefs- one of the most common species observed on local reefs Dark band through eye Large black blotch on anterior portion of soft dorsal fin; merges with dark bar below Abdomen white Image credit: Kevin Bryant Can reach up to 4 inches in length

11 Sand Perch: Diplectrum formosum Family Serranidae Commonly found along sandy bottoms/edges of reefs Will often approach divers Wavy blue lines on head and body Dark spot on base of caudal fin Dark mid-lateral stripe from head to caudal fin base Image credits: Conor Goulding Can reach up to 1 foot in length

12 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Mangrove/Gray Snapper: Lutjanus griseus Family Lutjanidae Commonly seen on wrecks and other artificial reefs (often in aggregations) Dark olive grayish green to gray dorsally; Sides and ventral area paler. Darker colored band through eyes of smaller individuals Can reach 2 feet in length Image credit: Conor Goulding Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

13 Image credit: NOAA Image credit: Conor Goulding Lane Snapper: Lutjanus synagris Family Lutjanidae Fairly common on artificial and natural reefs Silvery pink to reddish dorsally and silvery below Narrow yellow stripes on head and side Dark spot below anterior portion of soft dorsal fin (can be faint or absent) Can reach 2 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

14 Image credits: NOAA Yellowtail Snapper: Ocyurus chrysurus Family Lutjanidae Occasionally seen on natural and artificial reefs Bright to dusky yellow stripe from snout to caudal fin Dorsal fin yellow Yellow spots near dorsal fins Can reach over 2 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

15 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Tomtate: Haemulon aurolineatum Family Haemulidae One of the most common fish observed on Collier County s reefs; often in schools Silvery white with 2 yellowish to black stripes on body Black blotch on base of caudal fin Can reach 10 inches in length

16 Porkfish: Anisotremus virginicus Family Haemulidae Commonly seen on artificial and natural reefs Image credit: Juvenile Body with alternating silvery white and yellow stripes Two black bands on head All fins yellow Juveniles with two black stripes along body and black dot on the base of the caudal fin Can reach 15 inches in length Image credit: Bryan Fluech

17 Image credit: Bryan Fluech White Grunt: Haemulon plumierii Family Haemulidae Commonly seen on natural and artificial reefs Head with narrow blue wavy lines Scales on upper body with silvery blue centers and yellow to bronze margins Abdomen silvery white Can reach 17 inches in length

18 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Blue Striped Grunt: Haemulon sciurus Family Haemulidae Occasional on natural and artificial reefs Head and body yellow to bronze with blue wavy lines along body Inner portion of soft dorsal and caudal fin black Anal, pelvic and pectoral fins yellowish Can reach 17 inches in length

19 Greater Amberjack: Seriola dumerili Family Carangidae Fairly common on deeper wrecks and high relief reefs; usually in schools Blueish brown to olive dorsally, often with pinkish luster on side; silvery below Body elongate; comparatively shallow Dark band from eyes to first dorsal-fin origin Can reach over 3 feet in length Image credits: NOAA Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

20 Almaco Jack: Seriola rivoliana Family Carangidae Fairly common on deeper water wrecks and reefs Brown/olive to blueish green dorsally and paler below Faint band from eye to nape Comparatively deep body First dorsal and anal fin lobe elongated Image credit: NOAA Can reach over 2 feet in length

21 Permit: Trachinotus falcatus Family Carangidae Occasionally on wrecks/reefs especially with higher relief Silvery with metallic blueish to greenish sheen Abdomen silvery often with golden areas May have large gray to black smudge on sides Can reach 2.5 feet in length Image credit: Marin Dick Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

22 Image credit: NOAA Blue Runner: Caranx crysos Family Carangidae Common species on local reefs; usually above reefs in water column Shades of blue to green dorsally with metallic sheen Tips of caudal fin lobes black Can reach over 2 feet in length Image credit: Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Program

23 Image credit: NOAA Bar jack: Caranx ruber Family Carangidae Common on wrecks and reefs; found in open water column- often in schools Pale grayish blue above; silvery below Blackish band overlays silvery blue band along dorsal profile through caudal peduncle to lower caudal fin lobe Can reach up to 22 inches in length

24 Lookdown: Selene vomer Family Carangidae Occasionally seen on wrecks and reefs; especially with high relief; often in schools Silvery white with metallic blueish to yellowish sheen May have silvery bars on body Anterior profile of head very steep; body very deep First dorsal fin spines elongated Image credit: Katie Laakkonen Can reach 12 inches in length

25 Round Scad: Decapterus punctatus Family Carangidae Common bait fish often found in large schools above reefs Blueish to greenish dorsally; silvery to whitish below Small blacks spot on opercular margin Yellowish stripe on body midline with black spots on curved portion of lateral line Yellowish caudal fin Image credit: Conor Goulding Can reach 9 inches in length

26 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Image credit: mentalblock_dmd; Flickr Sheepshead: Archosargus probatocephalus Family Sparidae Commonly seen on artificial and natural reefs Five to six blackish to brown bars on body Head and fins grayish to dusky Can reach over 2 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

27 Image credit: NOAA Knobbed Porgy: Calamus nodosus Family Sparidae Occasionally seen on natural and artificial reefs in deeper waters Body deep; front profile very steep Body is generally silvery, with a rosy cast Cheek and snout are dark purplish gray, with many bronze spots Large blue spot at axil of pectoral fin Can reach 20 inches in length

28 Pinfish: Lagodon rhomboides Family Sparidae Commonly seen on natural and artificial reefs Body with alternating iridescent blueish and yellowish to bronze stripes that intersect grayish bars Black spot on lateral line origin Laterally compressed body Image credit: Brian Gratwicke Can reach over 12 inches in length

29 Image credits: Conor Goulding Cobia: Rachycentron canadum Family Rachycentridae Occasionally seen on wrecks and reefs, especially with high relief structure; pelagic Dark brown dorsally on both sides and whitish below Dorsal, caudal and pectoral fins typically brown, but can have white color on them Snout broad with a compressed head Can reach over 4 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

30 Pearly Razorfish: Xyrichtys novacula Family Labridae Occasionally seen on sandy open areas adjacent to reefs Burrows into sand to avoid predators Image credit: Conor Goulding Distinct pearly patch on abdomen Females-pearly pinkish, orangish to white with bright blue lines on head Males-pearly greenish yellow with bright blue lines on head Can reach 8.5 inches in length

31 Image credit: reefguide.org Image credit: Conor Goulding Hogfish: Lachnolaimus maximus Family Labridae Occasionally seen on artificial reefs; more common on natural reefs First three dorsal spines long Black blotch near end of dorsal fin Dusky to dark area covering snout and nape to dorsal fin Can reach over 2 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

32 Slippery Dick: Halichoeres bivittatus Family Labridae Occasionally seen on local artificial and natural reefs Image credit: John White Colors and markings can vary considerably ranging from shades of green to medium brown Small green and yellow bicolored spot above pectoral fin Darkish to black midbody stripe; a second lower stripe is less distinct Can reach up to 9 inches in length

33 Great Barracuda: Sphyraena barracuda Family Sphyraenidae Occasionally seen on deeper wrecks and sites with structure; often hang out in the water column Blueish gray to gray dorsally; silvery below Upper sides with oblique bars Lower sides with few to many variablesized blotches Image credit: NOAA Can reach over 4 feet in length

34 Image credit: Jeremy Sterk Image credit: NOAA Cocoa Damselfish: Stegaste variabilis Family Pomacentridae Commonly seen on local reefs and wrecks Juvenile Dark bluish brown to greenish brown dorsally, yellow below. May have blue spots on head Pectoral fins yellow Dark spot on base of tail Juveniles dusky blue on upper head and body, yellow below; blue spots on head Can reach 5 inches in length Juvenile

35 Atlantic Threadfin Herring: Opisthonema oglinum Family Clupeidae Commonly seen schooling over inshore reefs Image credit: Fish Geen via Flikr Image credit: Mickey Charteris Prolonged dorsal ray trails from dorsal fin Blue dorsally and on upper sides; silvery below Dark spot behind gill; may be followed by row of smaller spots Dorsal and caudal fin tipped black Body moderately deep and compressed Can reach 12 inches in length

36 Image credit: Katie Laakkonen Scaled Sardine: Harengula jaguana Family Clupeidae Commonly seen schooling over inshore reefs Blueish gray/black or brownish dorsally with faint streaks along side Sides and ventral area silvery Small, faint spot behind gills Body is compressed and moderately deep Can reach 7 inches in length

37 Image credit: NOAA Blue Angelfish: Holacanthus bermudensis Family: Pomacanthidae Occasionally seen on natural and artificial reefs Juvenile Purplish to blue-green often with pronounced gray cast Ventral fins yellow Tail and pectoral fins bordered in yellow Can reach up to 18 inches in length

38 Gray Angelfish: Pomacanthus arcuatus Family: Pomacanthidae Occasionally seen on artificial and natural reefs Intermediate phase Uniformly gray with light edge scales Yellow edge on pectoral fin Square-cut tail with white to transparent margin Intermediate with pale body bars Can reach 2 feet in length

39 Spotfin Butterflyfish: Chaetodon ocellatus Family Chaetonontidae Occasionally seen on artificial and natural reefs Field Description: Silver-white with black bar on head that runs across eye All fins except pectoral bright yellow Black dot on outer edge of rear dorsal fin Can reach 8 inches in length Image credit: Jeremy Sterk

40 Polka Dot Batfish: Ogcocephalus cubifrons Family Ogcocephalidae Fairly common on sandy areas adjacent to reefs; often motionless on the bottom Field Marks: Light colored body and fins covered with dark dots Some dots join; others outlined in white Pectoral fins may be bordered in yellow Can reach 15 inches in length Image credits: Bryan Fluech

41 Image credit: Katie Laakkonen Fringed Filefish: Monacanthus ciliatus Family Monacanthidae Occasionally seen in areas adjacent to reefs near sponges or other structures Highly variable-pale to dark green or tannish to brown Body variably marked with combination of pale and dark spots, lines and blotches Snout somewhat upturned Can reach 8 inches in length

42 Image credit: Katie Laakkonen Spotfin jawfish: Opistognathus robinsi Family Opistognathidae Occasionally seen along sandy/ shell rubble bottoms; uses mouth to excavate and maintain burrow Head brownish with paler spots and mottling Body brownish with pale blotches arranged in uneven rows on side Prominent oscellated black spot between third and seventh dorsal-fin spine Image credit: Jeremy Sterk Can reach 6 inches in length

43 Image credit: NOAA Yellowhead Jawfish: Opistognathus aurifrons Family Opistognathidae Occasionally seen in sandy/shell rubble substrates adjacent to reefs; uses mouth to excavate and maintain burrows Bright to pale yellow head Body fades to pearly bluish to tannish Pair of black spots on chin Can reach 4 inches in length

44 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Image credit: Kevin Bryant Lined Seahorse: Hippcampus erectus Family Syngnathidae Cryptic, occasionally seen associated with sponges/ soft coral or other structures along reefs Numerous lines on head and often down neck and back Vary from reddish orange to brownish/ blackcolors can vary depending on background Can reach up to 6 inches in length

45 Image credits: Katie Laakkonen and Connor Goulding Whitenose Pipefish: Cosmocampus albirostris Family Syngnathidae Uncommon: seen along sandy/ shell rubble bottoms adjacent to reefs Grayish to brownish/red or whitish with broad diffuse bars on body. Snout long and whitish Can reach 8 inches in length

46 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Image credit: NOAA Bandtail Pufferfish: Sphoeroides spengleri Family Tetrodontidae Commonly seen on natural and artificial reefs Usually dark brown dorsally, becoming paler on sides May be tannish with pale and dark molting or dark blackish brown with pale mottling Distinct row, large dark spots from chin to caudal peduncle Can reach 7 inches in length

47 Image credit: FWC Image source: marinebio.org Common Snook: Centropomus undecimalis Family Centropomidae Occasionally seen on artificial and natural reefs Yellow brown to brownish green above; silvery on sides and below Distinct lateral line Fins dusky to yellowish Can reach over 4 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

48 Atlantic Spadefish: Chaetodipterus faber Family Ephippidae Commonly seen swimming in schools above, near reefs Silvery with broad, brownish gray, or brownish to blackish bars on body; bars may be absent in larger adults Snout very short, small mouth Can reach 3 feet in length Image credit: Bryan Fluech

49 Image credits: NOAA Blue Goby: Ptereleotris (Ioglossus) calliuris Family Gobiidae Occasionally seen adjacent to offshore natural and artificial reefs Blueish gray to lavender in color Narrow black to red sub-marginal stripe on dorsal fin Pointed caudal fin Can reach up to 5 inches in length

50 Tiger Goby: Elacatinus marcrodon Family Gobiidae Cryptic; occasionally found in and around structure on natural and artificial reefs Field Identification Translucent Narrow, dark blackish brown stripes on head and body Can reach up to 2.5 inches in length Image credit: Bryan Fluech

51 Image Credits: NOAA Seaweed Blenny: Parablennius marmoreus Family Blenniidae Cryptic: often found hiding among sponges, corals and other structure Image credit: Bryan Fluech Markings and colors vary greatly; usually earth tones but can be bright yellow to gold Series of dark spots often form broken stripes down body; stripe from eye to tail usually widest and darkest Pale blue vertical line markings (occasionally net-like) down snout, over upper lip and below eyes Can reach up to 3 inches in length

52 Gray Triggerfish: Balistes capriscus Family Balistidae Occasionally seen on artificial and natural reefs Blue spots and line markings on upper body and fins Color varies from light gray to olive-gray Often has white dots and lines on lower body/fins May have faint broad bars or blotches on upper body Can reach over 1 foot in length Image Credit: NOAA Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

53 Gulf Flounder: Paralichthys albigutta Family Bothidae Occasionally seen adjacent to reefs in sandy/muddy substrates; excellent camouflage Pale to dark brown in color-can change to match surroundings 3 ocellated spots on body Can reach 2 feet in length Image credit: Bryan Fluech Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

54 Image credit: NOAA Image credit: Bryan Fluech Sharksucker: Echeneis naucrates Family Echeneidae Often seen swimming with goliath grouper and other large fish disk shape sucker on top of head Dark bluish to brownish gray above Dark stripe from mouth to caudal fin base; bordered above and below by whitish stripe (stripe confined to head in large adults) Thin white boarders on dark tail Can reach 3 feet in length

55 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Image source: cs.brown.edu Sand Diver: Synodus intermedius Family Synodontidae Commonly seen on natural and artificial reefs; often resting on structure; wellcamouflaged Reddish brown across back; often show diamond-shaped patches on sides Dark spot at upper end of gill cover Thin yellow-gold stripes on body Can reach 18 inches in length

56 Image credit: NOAA Cubbyu: Equetus umbrosus Family Sciaenidae Commonly seen on natural and artificial reefs; often near or under structure Field Identification Dark brownish gray to black; thin indistinct body stripes Juveniles black and white striped with black oval marking between eyes Can reach up to 10 inches in length juvenile Image credit Bryan Fluech Image credit: NOAA

57 Image source: NOAA Image credit Frank and Joyce Burek Jacknife Fish: Equetus lanceolatus Family Sciaenidae Occasionally seen on wrecks and artificial reefs Elongated dorsal fin Black and white bars on head Single black band from top from front of dorsal fin to and along mid-body line to tip of tail Young individuals are yellow-gold. Colors can fade with maturity Juveniles Can reach up to 9 inches in length

58 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Gulf Toadfish: Opsanus beta Family Batrachoididae Occasionally seen on and adjacent to reefs; particularly in shelly, lose substrates Brown diagonal bands on dorsal and anal fins Pale areas on body for rosettes, especially towards rear Mottled and marbled in shades of brown; can change colors to match surroundings Fleshy tabs below lip on lower jaw Can reach up to 1 foot in length Image source:

59 Bermuda/Yellow Chub*: Kyphosus sectatrix/incisor Family Kyphosidae Occasionally seen on artificial reefs, particularly those with high profiles Image credit: NOAA *Distinguishing between Bermuda and Yellow chub in the field is difficult, which is why both names are listed Gray to silver in color football-shaped body Thin yellow to bronze stripes on body and a stripe bordered in white under eye from mouth to gill cover Occasionally seen with white blotches on sides Can reach 2 feet in length

60 Southern stingray: Dasyatis americana Family Dasyatidae Image credit: Bryan Fluech Commonly seen adjacent to reefs along sandy bottom Field Identification Snout and tips of wings are pointed Dorsally brown to gray and black and white underneath Caution: One or two venomous spines on whip-like tail: Can reach 6 feet in length (from snout to tail)

61 Image credit: Bryan Fluech Image credit: NOAA Image credit: Bryan Fluech Nurse Shark: Ginglymostoma cirratum Family Rhincodontidae Most common shark seen on local reefs: often rests adjacent to or under structures/ledges Two barbels on upper lip Two dorsal fins, nearly of equal size and are set far back Small mouth Can reach 14 feet in length Regulated species State regulations Federal regulations

62 Image credit: Jeremy Sterk Image credit: NOAA Red Lionfish: Pterois volitans Family Scorpaenidae Becoming increasingly common on local natural and artificial reefs Invasive Non-Native Species Head and body with alternating reddish brown and whitish bars Spiny dorsal fin and pectoral fins banded Fleshy tabs above eyes and around mouth Caution: Venomous spines along dorsal, pelvic and anal fins Can reach up to 20 inches in length

63 References: Human, Paul & Deloach, Ned. Reef Fish Identification Florida Caribbean Bahamas. 2 nd Edition. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. Kells, Val & Carptenter, Kent A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes from Maine to Texas. The John Hopkins University Press. Baltimore, Md. Image credit: Bryan Fluech

64 Bryan Fluech UF/IFAS County Extension Director/Florida Sea Grant Agent-Collier County The Extension Service is an off-campus branch of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and department with the Public Services Department of Collier County Government. Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. In compliance with ADA requirements, participants with special needs can be reasonably accommodated by contacting the Extension Service at least 10 working days prior to the meeting. Contact Extension at (239) or by fax at (239)