Saltwater Fish Species Identification

1. Saltwater Fish Species Identification Mr. Robinson

2. Today We Will • Describe saltwater fish habitats • Differentiate between saltwater fish species • Identify locations for successful fishing

3. Who Loves to Fish

4. What do you need • Reliable radio • Compass • Life jacket • Sea chart • Knowledge

5. Go Fish

6. Cartilaginous Sharks, Skates and rays Skeletons of cartilage rather than bone Bony fishes Skeletons of bone Over 95% of known fish species Fish Classification

7. Fish Classification Ecological Groupings • Inshore (littoral) • Offshore bottom (reef) • Offshore migratory (pelagic)

8. Inshore (coastal) Habitat Most marine fishes locate themselves near the edges of continents

9. Estuaries Fresh and salt waters meet and mix Harsh environment Fluctuating salinity and temperature Fish expend energy by swimming in search of better conditions Exposed Beaches Turbulent environment Small disoriented invertebrates provide constant food source Inshore Habitats

10. Salt Marshes Salt tolerable plants invade mudflats One of best nutrient producing habitats Will support large fish and invertebrates Mudflats A feature that allows sediment to accumulate Receding tides expose accumulations Worms, clams and other burrowers are abundant Inshore Habitats

11. Seagrass Flats Shallow coastal areas often regress into flats Highly productive habitat Large populations of fish can be supported Near-shore Soft Bottoms Soft, silty featureless bottom Fish are of commercial importance Inshore Habitats

12. Inshore SpeciesRed Drum • Silver to bronze • Black spot at upper base of tail • Grayish silver fins • Found along passes and channels between bars • 3-4 lbs.

13. Inshore SpeciesSpeckled Trout • Dark grayish-blue back • Silvery bottom • Dark spots on upper sides, dorsal fin and tail • One or two prominent canine teeth on upper jaw • Grassy areas, bays and coastal areas • 1-2 lbs.

14. Inshore SpeciesSheepshead • Convict Fish • Vertical black and white bars • Sharp spines and gill covers • Near pilings, jetties, reefs and shell shores • 1-3 lbs.

15. Inshore SpeciesHardhead Catfish • Dark grey back • Silvery-white underneath • Coast, bays and inlets • Toxic slime on fins • ½-3 lbs.

16. Inshore SpeciesSouthern Flounder • Dark olive to lighter brown • Lies on side • White underside • Both eyes on “up” side • Sandy and silty bottoms along shores and estuaries • Caught by gigging • 1-2 lbs.

17. Inshore SpeciesAtlantic Stingray • Brownish above • White underneath • Rhomboid shape • Triangular nose • Painful tail spine • Found on or close to bottom • 6-8 inches wide and up to 2 feet in length

18. Inshore SpeciesBull Shark • Dark gray above • White below • Wide head, blunt snout, and heavy body • Live in fresh and salt waters • Found in estuaries, bays and shallow waters • Up to 500 lbs. and 10 feet long

19. Inshore SpeciesTarpon • Silver king • Body jaws, elongated dorsal fin, falcate anal fin, and large flat scales • Exciting catch • Found in estuaries, bays and inlets • 30-80 lbs.

20. Natural Reefs Abundance of food and shelter Reduced wave activity “Fish eat fish” world Artificial Reefs Most costly to incorporate Many fish seek out for shelter Sunken objects Burned car shells Bundles of clay and concrete Pipe Oyster shells Sunken ships Deep Sea Habitats

21. Fish Eat Fish World • Catch small fish • Notice increase in strength • Pull up much larger fish

22. Blue Water Line Two currents come in contact Forms line of sediment and trash Allows fish to hide from predators Off-Shore Oil Rigs Supports covered with algae, crustaceans and snails Trolling Avoid close passes for safety Still fishing Tie up to support Attracts fish from depths Deep Sea Habitats

23. Deep Sea Habitats Objects • Floating debris • Turtles • Fishing boats • Smaller fish escape nets • Throw undesirable species overboard

24. Bottom/ReefOffshore SpeciesRed Snapper • Deep rosy color with dark fringe around fins • Often confused with redfish • United dorsal fin • Found close to the bottom • Strike chum bait rather than lures

25. Bottom/ReefOffshore SpeciesJewfish • Dark to chocolate brown • Round tailfins • Large reaching 400-500 lbs. • Good spear fishing

26. MigratoryOffshore SpeciesWahoo • Dark blue above, lavender sides and silver underneath • Young have distinctive vertical bars • Solitary feeder • 20 lbs.

27. MigratoryOffshore SpeciesCobia • Dark brown to black above with white below • Spike like spines on dorsal fins • Dark band from snout to tail • Tendency to associate with floating objects • 15-30 lbs.

28. MigratoryOffshore SpeciesSpanish Mackerel • Black top, blue-green sides and silver below • Orange to brown spots • Huge schools along coast • Found in mouth passes into the gulf • Most abundant during summer • 1-2 lbs.

29. MigratoryOffshore SpeciesBlackfin Tuna • Dark blue back to silver below • Vertical bars and dots along sides • May have yellow streak on sides • Live and move freely in the open sea • 10-20 lbs.

30. MigratoryOffshore SpeciesBlue Marlin • Deep blue above to silvery-white underneath • Vertical lavender bars appear when hooked • Found in deep blue waters far offshore • Highly sought after sport fish • 200 lbs.

31. YOU What Did Learn

32. Summary What fish swims on it’s side? What is the most costly type of habitat? What is also known as the “convict fish” What fish has two prominent canine teeth? What is formed when fresh and salt waters mix?

33. Quiz

34. References • http://research.myfwc.com/ • http://www.boat-ed.com/fl/handbook/saltwater_fish.htm • IMS form 8985-D