Saltwater Fish
Almaco Jack
Almaco Jack: Seriola rivoliana Appearance: A deep-bodied amberjack Sometimes they appear darker in coloration and their front dorsal and anal fins are high and elongated The… Read More
Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic Croaker: Micropogonias undulatus Appearance: Atlantic Croaker have an inferior mouth with 3 to 5 pairs of small barbels on the chin They have a silver-gray or bronze… Read More
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark: Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Appearance: The snout is flattened and long White trailing edge of pectoral Dorsal and caudal fins are black-edged,… Read More
Banded Rudderfish
Banded Rudderfish: Seriola zonata Appearance: Fish that are less than 11 inches long have a dark band from the eye to the first dorsal fin and six prominent bars on body… Read More
Black Drum
Black Drum: Pogonias cromis Appearance: High arched back 10 to 14 pairs of chin barbels Gray or black colored body in adults with the young have 4 to 6 vertical black bars… Read More
Black Grouper
Black Grouper: Mycteroperca bonaci Appearance: Olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots gently rounded preopercle Similar in appearence to gag and… Read More
Black Sea Bass
Black Sea Bass: Centropristis striata Appearance: Basic color is dark brown or black Dorsal fin has rows and stripes of white on black Large males have iridescent blue and… Read More
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark Appearance: Dark, bluish-gray (young paler) back, with a distinctive whitish stripe on the flank The inside tip of the pectoral fin is conspicuously black, as… Read More
Bluefish
Bluefish Appearance: Bluefish are greenish blue on their back, with silvery sides and a large mouth filled with prominent, sharp teeth. Habitat: Young usually are inshore… Read More
Bonefish
Bonefish: Albula vulpes Appearance: Silvery, with torpedo-shaped body and conical snout. Habitat: Bonefish primarily inhabit inshore shallows of the Florida Keys, often in… Read More
Bonnethead Shark
Bonnethead Shark: Sphyrna tiburo Appearance: Broadly widened head in the shape of a shovel Only slight indentation of anal fin Front of head not notched at midline Gray or… Read More
Bue Marlin
Blue Marlin Appearance: Upper cobalt blue on top shading to a silvery white below Upper jaw elongated in form of a spear The dorsal, pectoral and anal fins are all pointed No… Read More
Cero Mackerel
Cero Mackerel: Scomberomorous regalis Appearance: Color of back iridescent bluish green Sides silvery with yellow spots forming lines above and below a bronze stripe from… Read More
Cobia
Cobia: Rachycentron canadum Appearance: Long, slim fish with a broad depressed head The lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw Dark lateral stripe extends through the eye to… Read More
Dolphin (Fish)
Dolphin: Coryphaena hippurus Appearance: Bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides and has the capability to flash a wide range of colors The body tapers sharply from head… Read More
Fantail Mullet
Fantail Mullet: Mugil gyrans Appearance: Color olive green with blue tints on back, shading to silvery sides, white below Anal and pelvic fins yellowish Dark blotch at base… Read More
Florida Pompano
Florida Pompano: Trachinotus carolinus Appearance: Greenish gray on back, shading to silvery sides Fish in dark waters showing gold on throat, pelvic, and anal fins Deep… Read More
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper: Mycteroperca microlepis Appearance: Brownish gray in color with dark, worm-like side markings Fins dark, with anal and caudal having a white margin Lack of… Read More
Goliath Grouper or Jewfish
Goliath Grouper (Jewfish): Epinephelus itajara Appearance: Head and fins covered with small black spots Irregular dark and vertical bars present on the sides of body Pectoral… Read More
Greater Amberjack
Greater Amberjack: Seriola dumerili Appearance: A dark stripe (variably present) extends from nose to in front of dorsal fin and "lights up" when fish is in feeding mode No… Read More
Gulf Flounder
Gulf Flounder: Paralichthys albigutta Appearance: Body is brown in color with the shade depending on the color of the bottom, with numerous spots and blotches 3 prominent… Read More
Gulf Sturgeon
Gulf Sturgeon: Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Appearance: What is there to appreciate about a big fish? Plenty, say scientists who study the Gulf sturgeon. The Gulf sturgeon… Read More
Jack Crevalle
Crevalle "Jack": Caranx hippos Appearance: Color bluish-green to greenish-gold back and silvery or yellowish belly Soft dorsal and anal fins almost identical in size… Read More
Jolthead Porgy
Jolthead Porgy: Calamus bajonado Appearance: Generally silvery to brassy, with a bluish cast Front of the head is brown, with a blue line along lower rim of eye; a whitish… Read More
King Mackerel
King Mackerel: Scomberomorus cavalla Appearance: Color ranges from black iridescent to bluish green with silvery sides The body is streamlined with a tapered head No black… Read More
Kingfish
King Mackerel: Scomberomorus cavalla Appearance: Color ranges from black iridescent to bluish green with silvery sides The body is streamlined with a tapered head No black… Read More
Knobbed Porgy
Knobbed Porgy: Calamus nodosus Appearance: Body deep; front profile very steep Nape projects strongly in large adults Body is generally silvery, with a rosy cast Cheek and… Read More
Ladyfish
Ladyfish: Elops Saurus Appearance: Long torpedo-like body, heavy slime and bright silver/white with dark green back. Dorsal brownish gold, pectoral and anal fins.. Heavy skin… Read More
Lesser Amberjack
Lesser Amberjack: Seriola fasciata Appearance: Olive green or brownish black and silver sides Dark band (variably present) extends upward from eye Juveniles have split or… Read More
Longbill Spearfish
Longbill Spearfish: Tetrapturus pfluegeri Appearance: Color of body dark blue shading to silvery, white underneath Dorsal fin bluish, others brown-black Two dorsal fins, the… Read More
Nassau Grouper
Nassau Grouper: Epinephelus striatus Appearance: Color light background with brown or red-brown bars on sides Stripe in shape of tuning fork on forehead Third spine of dorsal… Read More
Palometa
Palometa: Trachinotus goodei Appearance: Grayish-blue-green on top of head and along the back Bright silvery sides Yellow on breast Elongated dorsal and anal fins Dusky or… Read More
Permit
Permit: Trachinotus falcatus Appearance: Color gray, dark or iridescent blue above, shading to silvery on the sides May show golden tints around the breast in darker waters… Read More
Red Drum
Red Drum: Sciaenops ocellatus Appearance: Chin without barbels Copper-bronze body; lighter in clear waters 1 to many spots at the base of the tail Mouth horizontal and opens… Read More
Red Grouper
Red Grouper: Epinephelus morio Appearance: Color brownish red Lining of mouth scarlet-orange Blotches on sides in unorganized pattern Second spine of dorsal fin longer than… Read More
Red Porgy
Red Porgy: Pagrus pagrus Appearance: The only American porgy with a near nostril that is round (not slit-like) Head and body silvery red, with many tiny blue spots Habitat:… Read More
Rock Sea Bass
Rock Sea Bass: Centropristis philadelphica Appearance: Color olive-brown or bronze, with dark blotches forming vertical bars Dark black blotch on middle of dorsal fin base… Read More
Sailfish
Sailfish: Istiophorus platypterus Appearance: Color dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally and silvery white underbelly Upper jaw elongate in the form of a spear First dorsal… Read More
Sand Seatrout
Sand Seatrout: Cynoscion arenarius Appearance: Pale body color, yellow above, silver to white below One or two prominent canine teeth usually at tip of upper jaw Inside of… Read More
Sandbar Shark
Sandbar Shark: Carcharhinus plumbeus Appearance: Snout broadly rounded and short First dorsal fin triangular and very high Poorly developed dermal ridge between dorsal fins… Read More
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark: Sphyrna lewini Appearance: Fifth gill slit shorter than 4 preceding ones and located posterior to pectoral fin base Flattened head extending to… Read More
Scamp
Scamp: Mycteroperca phenax Appearance: Color light gray or brown Large adults with elongated caudal-fin rays Reddish brown spots are on sides that tend to be grouped into… Read More
Schoolmaster
Schoolmaster: Lutjanus apodus Appearance: Color olive gray on upper sides with yellow tinge, sometimes with reddish tinge around head Long triangular snout Eight pale… Read More
Sheepshead
Sheepshead: Archosargus probatocephalus Appearance: Basic silvery color with 5 or 6 distinct vertical black bars on the sides; bars are not always the same on both sides… Read More
Shortfin Mako Shark
Shortfin Mako Shark: Isurus oxyrinchus Appearance: Lunate tail with similarly sized lobes Lateral keel at the base of the tail Deep blue back and white underside Underside of… Read More
Silver Perch
Silver Perch: Bairdiella chrysoura Appearance: Color silvery with yellowish fins No spots No chin barbels No prominent canine teeth at tip of upper jaw Preopercle finely… Read More
Silver Seatrout
Silver Seatrout: Cynoscion nothus Appearance: Pale straw colored above, silvery sides and white below No distinctive pigmentation, although faint diagonal lines may be… Read More
Snapper (Blackfin)
Blackfin Snapper: Lutjanus buccanella Appearance: Color is generally red, with yellowish caudal, anal, and pelvic fins Distinctive and prominent dark comma-shaped blotch at… Read More
Snapper (Cubera)
Cubera Snapper: Lutjanus cyanopterus Appearance: Color dark brown or gray, may have a reddish tinge Broad-based triangular tooth patch on roof of mouth without a posterior… Read More
Snapper (Dog)
Dog Snapper: Lutjanus jocu Appearance: Color brown with a bronze tinge, lighter on sides Canine teeth are very sharp and one pair is notably enlarged, visible even when the… Read More
Snapper (Gray)
Gray Snapper: Lutjanus griseus Appearance: Dark brown or gray with reddish or orange spots in rows along the sides A dark horizontal band from snout through eye is present in… Read More
Snapper (Lane)
Lane Snapper: Lutjanus synagris Appearance: Color silvery-pink to reddish with short, irregular pink and yellow lines on its sides Diffuse black spot, about as large as the… Read More
Snapper (Mahogany)
Mahogany Snapper: Lutjanus mahogoni Appearance: Color grayish-olive with a reddish tinge Conspicuous dark spot, about the size of the eye, is located below the soft dorsal… Read More
Snapper (Mutton)
Mutton Snapper: Lutjanus mahogoni Appearance: Color olive green on back and upper sides All fins below the lateral line having reddish tinge Bright blue line below eye,… Read More
Snapper (Queen)
Queen Snapper: Etelis oculatus Appearance: Color of back and upper sides red Silvery body long and slender Dorsal fin distinctly notched Large eyes Caudal fin deeply forked… Read More
Snapper (Red)
Red Snapper: Lutjanus campechanus Appearance: Color pinkish red over entire body, whitish below Long triangular snout Anal fin is sharply pointed No dark lateral spot Red eye… Read More
Snapper (Silk)
Silk Snapper: Lutjanus vivanus Appearance: Back and upper sides pinkish red, shading to silvery sides with undulating yellow lines Pectorals are pale yellow Back edge of… Read More
Snapper (Vermilion)
Vermilion Snapper: Rhomboplites aurorubens Appearance: color of entire body reddish, with a series of short, irregular lines on its sides, diagonal blue lines formed by spots… Read More
Snapper (Yellowtail )
Yellowtail Snapper: Ocyurus chrysurus Appearance: back and upper sides olive to bluish with yellow spots; lower sides and belly with alternating narrow, longitudinal pink and… Read More
Snook (Common)
Common Snook: Centropomus undecimalis The common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, is one of Florida's most popular inshore game fish because of its spectacular fighting… Read More
Snook (Fat)
Fat Snook: Centropomus parallelus Appearance: Deeper body than other snooks Color yellow-brown to green-brown above, silvery on sides Black lateral line extends onto tail… Read More
Snook (Swordspike)
Swordspine Snook: Centropomus ensiferus Appearance: Smallest of the snooks; profile slightly concave; prominent lateral line outlined in black (not solid), extends through… Read More
Snook (Tarpon)
Tarpon Snook: Centropomus pectinatus Appearance: only snook with 7 anal fin rays (others have 6); lower jaw curves upward; compressed body; prominent black lateral line… Read More
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel: Scomberomorous maculatus Appearance: Color of back green, shading to silver on sides with golden yellow irregular spots found above and below the lateral… Read More
Spotted Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout: Cynoscion nebulosus Appearance: Dark gray or green above, with sky-blue tinges shading to silvery and white below Numerous distinct round black spots on… Read More
Striped Mullet
Striped Mullet: Mugil cephalus Appearance: Color bluish-gray or green above, shading to silver on sides with distinct horizontal black barrings, white below Fins lightly… Read More
Swordfish
Swordfish: Xiphias gladius Appearance: A rather unique billfish, with a flattened bill formed from an elongated upper jaw. It has a single high dorsal fin and one keel on… Read More
Tarpon
Tarpon: Megalops atlanticus Appearance: Tarpon have a distinctive dorsal fin ray that extends into a long filament, a large upward pointing mouth and very large scales… Read More
Tripletail
Tripletail Appearance: The rounded second dorsal and anal fins are similar in size and along with a rounded tail fin, give the fish its name. The bases of those fins have… Read More
Wahoo
Wahoo: Acanthocybium solanderi Appearance: A member of the mackerel family, long and streamlined with about 30 dark wavy bars for camouflage. Habitat: Found offshore;… Read More
Warsaw Grouper
Warsaw Grouper: Epinephelus nigritus Appearance: uniformly dark brown, with no distinct markings; dorsal fin with 10 spines; second spine very long (much longer than third);… Read More
Weakfish
Weakfish: Cynoscion regalis Appearance: dark olive or blue-green back; sides covered in tones of blue, purple, lavender, gold and copper; irregular diagonal rows of… Read More
White Grunt
White Grunt: Haemulon plumieri Appearance: body color light bluish-gray, head with horizontal blue stripes, white underbelly; black blotch on preopercle; margin of each scale… Read More
White Marlin
White Marlin: Tetrapterus albidus Appearance: color of body dark blue to chocolate brown, shading to silvery white underbelly; noticeable spots on dorsal fin; upper jaw… Read More
Yellowfin Grouper
Yellowfin Grouper: Mycteroperca venenosa Appearance: color highly variable greenish olive or bright red with longitudinal rows of darker black blotches over entire fish;… Read More
