All Fish Species

Almaco Jack

in Saltwater Fish
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…

American Shad

in Bait Fish
American Shad: Alosa sapidissima Appearance: Color of back green or greenish blue with silvery sides, white underneath (colors darken when fish enters fresh…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Atlantic Croaker

in Saltwater Fish
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…

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

in Saltwater Fish
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark: Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Appearance: The snout is flattened and long White trailing edge of pectoral Dorsal and caudal fins are…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Banded Rudderfish

in Saltwater Fish
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…

Black Acaria

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Black Acaria: Cichlasoma bimaculatum Appearance: Small, stout, convex-headed, bream-looking body-shape with two black blotches on side, the larger blotch at…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Black Crappie

in Freshwater Fish
Black Crappie: Appearance: A deep body with nearly symmetrical dorsal and anal fins and a speckled pattern on the body and fins identify the black crappie.…

Black Drum

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Black Grouper

Black Grouper

in Saltwater Fish
Black Grouper: Mycteroperca bonaci Appearance: Olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots gently rounded preopercle Similar in…

Black Sea Bass

in Saltwater Fish
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…

Blacktip Shark

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Blue Catfish

in Freshwater Fish
Blue Catfish: Appearance: Adults have stout bodies with prominently humped backs in front of the dorsal fin. They resemble channel catfish by having deeply…
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Blue Crab

in Crustaceans
Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus, are common throughout Florida. Blue crabs are popular in both recreational and commercial fisheries. Some crabs swim. Most…

Blue Tilapia

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Blue Tilapia: Oreochromis aureus Appearance: Young nondescript gray with a black spot at rear of dorsal fin; adults generally blue-gray shading to white on the…

Bluefish

in Saltwater Fish
Bluefish Appearance: Bluefish are greenish blue on their back, with silvery sides and a large mouth filled with prominent, sharp teeth. Habitat: Young usually…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Bluegill

in Freshwater Fish
Bluegill: Appearance: Bluegill have the deep-bodied look of "bream," with a long dorsal fin and slightly forked tail. A dark ear covering and a blotch at the…

Bonefish

in Saltwater Fish
Bonefish: Albula vulpes Appearance: Silvery, with torpedo-shaped body and conical snout. Habitat: Bonefish primarily inhabit inshore shallows of the Florida…
Diane Peebles Bonnethead Shark for FWC

Bonnethead Shark

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Bowfin

in Freshwater Fish
Bowfin: Appearance: The bowfin is the only living representative of an ancient family of fishes. It has an air-bladder that functions like a lung, and can be…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Brown Bullhead

in Freshwater Fish
Brown Bullhead: Appearance: Chin barbels on browns are pigmented, not whitish as with yellow bullheads. The sides of brown bullheads have a distinct, irregular…

Brown Hoplo

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Brown Hoplo: Hoplosternum littorale Appearance: Brown hoplo is less than a foot long and belongs to family of fishes known as Callichthyidae; has bony armor…

Bue Marlin

in Saltwater Fish
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…

Bullseye Snakehead

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Bullseye Snakehead: Channa marulius Appearance: Air-breathing, torpedo-shaped fish with flattened head and toothed jaws; long anal and dorsal fins without…

Butterfly Peacock

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Butterfly Peacock: Cichla ocellaris Appearance: Body shape similar to that of a largemouth bass; color highly variable, but generally golden with three black…
Cero Mackerel Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Cero Mackerel

in Saltwater Fish
Cero Mackerel: Scomberomorous regalis Appearance: Color of back iridescent bluish green Sides silvery with yellow spots forming lines above and below a bronze…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Chain Pickerel

in Freshwater Fish
Chain Pickerel: Appearance: Chain pickerel are deep olive-green on the back, shading to a creamy yellow on the belly, with the back and anal fin about the same…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Channel Catfish

in Freshwater Fish
Channel Catfish: Appearance: Catfish are easy to distinguish by their whisker-like sensory barbels and a forked tail. Channel catfish have a rounded anal fin…

Clown Knifefish

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Clown Knifefish: Notopterus chitala Appearance: Very distinct, flat, silvery fish with long anal fin that gives the knifefish its common name; tiny dorsal fin…
Cobia by Dianne Rome Peebles for Florida Fish & Wildlife

Cobia

in Saltwater Fish
Cobia: Rachycentron canadum Appearance: Long, slim fish with a broad depressed head The lower jaw protrudes past the upper jaw Dark lateral stripe extends…

Common Carp

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Common Carp: Cyprinus carpio Appearance: Large, heavy bodied minnow with arched back small triangular head tapering to blunt snout; first ray of the dorsal and…
Atlantic Croaker "Whacky Baits"

Croakers

in Bait Fish
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…
Dolphin image by Dianne Rome Peebles for FWC

Dolphin (Fish)

in Saltwater 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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Fantail Mullet

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Fiddler crab

Fiddler Crab

in Crustaceans
Fiddler Crab: Uca Appearance: Ever chance upon a troop of fiddler crabs marching through the mud in a salt marsh or mangrove forest? The male fiddlers were…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Flathead Catfish

in Freshwater Fish
Flathead Catfish: Appearance: A flat head, tiny eyes, squarish tail and protruding lower jaw distinguish flathead from other. They are yellow-brown, usually…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Florida Gar

in Freshwater Fish
Florida Gar: Appearance: Prehistoric fish with ganoid (bony) scales that have peg-and-socket joints forming a hard armor. Irregular round, spots occur on top…
Florida Pompano by Dianne Rome Peebles for FWC

Florida Pompano

in Saltwater Fish
Florida Pompano: Trachinotus carolinus Appearance: Greenish gray on back, shading to silvery sides Fish in dark waters showing gold on throat, pelvic, and anal…
Gag Grouper by Dianne Rome Peebles for FWC

Gag Grouper

in Saltwater Fish
Gag Grouper: Mycteroperca microlepis Appearance: Brownish gray in color with dark, worm-like side markings Fins dark, with anal and caudal having a white…
Goliath Grouper Image by Dianne Rome Peebles for Florida Fish & Wildlife

Goliath Grouper or Jewfish

in Saltwater Fish
Goliath Grouper (Jewfish): Epinephelus itajara Appearance: Head and fins covered with small black spots Irregular dark and vertical bars present on the sides…

Grass Carp

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Grass Carp: Ctenopharyngodon Appearance: The grass carp is actually one of the largest members of the minnow family. The back of the grass carp is silvery to…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Greater Amberjack

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Gulf Flounder by Dianne Rome Peebles for Florida Fish & Wildlife

Gulf Flounder

in Saltwater Fish
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…

Gulf Sturgeon

in Saltwater Fish
Gulf Sturgeon: Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Appearance: What is there to appreciate about a big fish? Plenty, say scientists who study the Gulf sturgeon. The…

Horseshoe Crab

in Crustaceans
Ancestors of horseshoe crabs date back over 450 million years--long before the age of the dinosaurs. Four species of horseshoe crabs exist today. Only one…
Dianne Rome Peebles for Florida Fish & Wildlife

Jack Crevalle

in Saltwater Fish
Crevalle "Jack": Caranx hippos Appearance: Color bluish-green to greenish-gold back and silvery or yellowish belly Soft dorsal and anal fins almost identical…

Jaguar Guapote

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Jaguar Guapote: Cichlasoma managuense Appearance: Broken lateral line and black-and-white patterning make this species distinct; toothed and protrusible mouth;…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Jolthead Porgy

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

King Mackerel

in Saltwater Fish
King Mackerel: Scomberomorus cavalla Appearance: Color ranges from black iridescent to bluish green with silvery sides The body is streamlined with a tapered…
Kingfish by Dianne Rome Peebles for the Florida Fish & Wildlife

Kingfish

in Saltwater Fish
King Mackerel: Scomberomorus cavalla Appearance: Color ranges from black iridescent to bluish green with silvery sides The body is streamlined with a tapered…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Knobbed Porgy

in Saltwater Fish
Knobbed Porgy: Calamus nodosus Appearance: Body deep; front profile very steep Nape projects strongly in large adults Body is generally silvery, with a rosy…

Ladyfish

in Saltwater Fish
Ladyfish: Elops Saurus Appearance: Long torpedo-like body, heavy slime and bright silver/white with dark green back. Dorsal brownish gold, pectoral and anal…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Largemouth Bass

in Freshwater Fish
Largemouth Bass: Of all the fish in the world, of all the lures, and of all the ponds, lakes, and rivers that are on the minds of the world's recreational…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Lesser Amberjack

in Saltwater Fish
Lesser Amberjack: Seriola fasciata Appearance: Olive green or brownish black and silver sides Dark band (variably present) extends upward from eye Juveniles…

Lionfish

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Description Lionfish are marine fish that are mainly red, brown and white and have a striped, zebra-like appearance. They grow to approximately 12-15 inches in…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Longbill Spearfish

in Saltwater Fish
Longbill Spearfish: Tetrapturus pfluegeri Appearance: Color of body dark blue shading to silvery, white underneath Dorsal fin bluish, others brown-black Two…

Mayan Cichlid

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Mayan Cichlid: Appearance: A broken lateral line and turquoise ring on the tail are diagnostic. Color varies greatly in intensity sometimes with bright red on…

Midas Cichlid

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Midas Cichlid: Cichlasoma citrinellum Appearance: Has multiple color phases (or morphs) ranging from dull gray and black to orange, red, and even white; all…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Nassau Grouper

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Oscar

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Oscar: Appearance: Adults are olive blue-green with mustard colors, and a bright red eyespot on the tail fin. Habitat: Oscars are illegally/ accidentally…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Palometa

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Peacock Bass

in Freshwater Fish
Peacock Bass: Appearance: Color is very vivid - generally golden with three black vertical bars that fade with age. A black spot with a yellow halo on the tail…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Permit

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Pigfish

Pigfish

in Bait Fish
Pigfish: Orthopristis chrysoptera Appearance: Coloration of the species can vary from a light blue-grey to light brown dorsally, gradually fading to silver…
Pinfish image by Dianne Rome Peebles for Florida Fish & Wildlife

Pinfish

in Bait Fish
Pinfish: Lagodon rhomboides Appearance: Small mouth with incisor-like teeth Distinctive black spot behind the gill cover Body bluish-silver with blue and…

Piranha

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Piranha: Serrasalmus Appearance: Deep laterally compressed bodies are generally silvery or golden in color, with a short adipose fin, jaws with a single row of…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Red Drum

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Red Grouper

in Saltwater Fish
Red Grouper: Epinephelus morio Appearance: Color brownish red Lining of mouth scarlet-orange Blotches on sides in unorganized pattern Second spine of dorsal…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Red Porgy

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Redbreast Sunfish

in Freshwater Fish
Redbreast Sunfish: Appearance: A very long black ear flap distinguishes this fish from other Florida bream. Habitat: Also known as river bream and redbellies,…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Redear Sunfish

in Freshwater Fish
Redear Sunfish: Appearance: A bright red mark on the back edge of the gill cover is very distinctive. Habitat: Redear prefer hard bottoms, congregating in…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Rock Sea Bass

in Saltwater Fish
Rock Sea Bass: Centropristis philadelphica Appearance: Color olive-brown or bronze, with dark blotches forming vertical bars Dark black blotch on middle of…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Sailfish

in Saltwater Fish
Sailfish: Istiophorus platypterus Appearance: Color dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally and silvery white underbelly Upper jaw elongate in the form of a…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Sand Seatrout

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Sandbar Shark

in Saltwater Fish
Sandbar Shark: Carcharhinus plumbeus Appearance: Snout broadly rounded and short First dorsal fin triangular and very high Poorly developed dermal ridge…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

in Saltwater Fish
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark: Sphyrna lewini Appearance: Fifth gill slit shorter than 4 preceding ones and located posterior to pectoral fin base Flattened head…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Scamp

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Schoolmaster

in Saltwater Fish
Schoolmaster: Lutjanus apodus Appearance: Color olive gray on upper sides with yellow tinge, sometimes with reddish tinge around head Long triangular snout…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Sheepshead

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Shoal Bass

in Freshwater Fish
Shoal Bass: Appearance: Shoal bass are similar in body shape to largemouth bass, but unlike the largemouth, the shoal bass has scales on the base portion of…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Shortfin Mako Shark

in Saltwater Fish
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…

Shrimp

in Crustaceans
Shrimp The majority of shrimp harvested for food in Florida belong to the shrimp family Penaeidae. The pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum) is the most…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peelbes

Silver Perch

in Saltwater Fish
Silver Perch: Bairdiella chrysoura Appearance: Color silvery with yellowish fins No spots No chin barbels No prominent canine teeth at tip of upper jaw…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Silver Seatrout

in Saltwater Fish
Silver Seatrout: Cynoscion nothus Appearance: Pale straw colored above, silvery sides and white below No distinctive pigmentation, although faint diagonal…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Blackfin)

in Saltwater Fish
Blackfin Snapper: Lutjanus buccanella Appearance: Color is generally red, with yellowish caudal, anal, and pelvic fins Distinctive and prominent dark…
Dianne Rome Peebles for Florida Fish & Wildlife

Snapper (Cubera)

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Dog)

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Gray Snapper by Dianne Rome Peebles for Florida Fish & Wildlife

Snapper (Gray)

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Lane)

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Mahogany)

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Mutton)

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Queen)

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Red)

in Saltwater Fish
Red Snapper: Lutjanus campechanus Appearance: Color pinkish red over entire body, whitish below Long triangular snout Anal fin is sharply pointed No dark…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Silk)

in Saltwater Fish
Silk Snapper: Lutjanus vivanus Appearance: Back and upper sides pinkish red, shading to silvery sides with undulating yellow lines Pectorals are pale yellow…
Image by Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Vermilion)

in Saltwater Fish
Vermilion Snapper: Rhomboplites aurorubens Appearance: color of entire body reddish, with a series of short, irregular lines on its sides, diagonal blue lines…
Image by Diane Rome Peebles

Snapper (Yellowtail )

in Saltwater Fish
Yellowtail Snapper: Ocyurus chrysurus Appearance: back and upper sides olive to bluish with yellow spots; lower sides and belly with alternating narrow,…

Snook (Common)

in Saltwater Fish
Common Snook: Centropomus undecimalis The common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, is one of Florida's most popular inshore game fish because of its spectacular…

Snook (Fat)

in Saltwater Fish
Fat Snook: Centropomus parallelus Appearance: Deeper body than other snooks Color yellow-brown to green-brown above, silvery on sides Black lateral line…

Snook (Swordspike)

in Saltwater Fish
Swordspine Snook: Centropomus ensiferus Appearance: Smallest of the snooks; profile slightly concave; prominent lateral line outlined in black (not solid),…

Snook (Tarpon)

in Saltwater Fish
Tarpon Snook: Centropomus pectinatus Appearance: only snook with 7 anal fin rays (others have 6); lower jaw curves upward; compressed body; prominent black…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Spanish Mackerel

in Saltwater Fish
Spanish Mackerel: Scomberomorous maculatus Appearance: Color of back green, shading to silver on sides with golden yellow irregular spots found above and below…

Spiny Lobster

in Crustaceans
Commonly referred to as the Florida spiny lobster, the Caribbean spiny lobster inhabits tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea,…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Spotted Bass

in Freshwater Fish
Spotted Bass: Appearance: Spotted bass are similar to largemouth bass, but unlike the largemouth, the spotted bass has scales on the base portion of the second…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Spotted Seatrout

in Saltwater Fish
Spotted Seatrout: Cynoscion nebulosus Appearance: Dark gray or green above, with sky-blue tinges shading to silvery and white below Numerous distinct round…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Spotted Sunfish

in Freshwater Fish
Spotted Sunfish: Appearance: Spotted sunfish are olive-green to brown in color, with black or reddish spots on the base of each scale forming rows of dots on…

Spotted Tilapia

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Spotted Tilapia: Tiliapia mariae Appearance: Light yellow to bronze with 6-9 bars or spots along side; stouter but similar body and mouth shape to native…

Stone Crab

in Crustaceans
Stone Crabs Two stone crab species are found in Florida. They are closely related, readily interbreed, and are managed as one species by the fishing industry.…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Striped Bass

in Freshwater Fish
Striped Bass: Appearance: Striped bass are quick powerful fish with silvery sides and white belly. They have seven or eight black stripes along the sides.…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Striped Mullet

in Saltwater Fish
Striped Mullet: Mugil cephalus Appearance: Color bluish-gray or green above, shading to silver on sides with distinct horizontal black barrings, white below…

Suckermouth Catfish

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Suckermouth Catfish: Pterygoplichthy multiradiatus Appearance: All three suckermouth catfishes (family Loricariidae) in Florida have rows of bony plates…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Sunshine Bass

in Freshwater Fish
Sunshine Bass: Appearance: Sunshine bass were first produced in Florida by state hatcheries, and all sunshines are still produced and stocked. This is because…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Suwannee Bass

in Freshwater Fish
Suwannee Bass: Appearance: A heavy-bodied black bass that seldom exceeds 12 inches long. Mature Suwannee bass have bright turquoise coloring on the cheeks,…

Swamp Eel

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Swamp Eel: Monopterus albus Appearance: Body snake-like tapering to a point; small eyes, tiny scales, and finless; typically dark reddish-brown with light tan…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Swordfish

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Tarpon

in Saltwater Fish
Tarpon: Megalops atlanticus Appearance: Tarpon have a distinctive dorsal fin ray that extends into a long filament, a large upward pointing mouth and very…

Threadfin

in Bait Fish
Threadfin: Dorosoma petenense Appearance: Small terminal mouth typical of Plankton eater. Lower part of upper jaw not notched. Bluish gray on back, silver body…
Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

Tripletail

in Saltwater Fish
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…
Image by Diane Rome Peebles

Wahoo

in Saltwater Fish
Wahoo: Acanthocybium solanderi Appearance: A member of the mackerel family, long and streamlined with about 30 dark wavy bars for camouflage. Habitat: Found…

Walking Catfish

in Freshwater-Non-Native Species
Walking Catfish: Clarias batrachus Appearance: Elongated, gray, and scaleless catfish-type body with a large mouth, sharp pectoral spines, and four pairs of…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Warmouth

in Freshwater Fish
Warmouth: Appearance: It has a stout, deep body similar to other panfish. A red eye and large mouth are conspicuous field marks. Three or four dark stripes…
Image by Diane Rome Peebles

Warsaw Grouper

in Saltwater Fish
Warsaw Grouper: Epinephelus nigritus Appearance: uniformly dark brown, with no distinct markings; dorsal fin with 10 spines; second spine very long (much…
Image by Diane Rome Peebles

Weakfish

in Saltwater Fish
Weakfish: Cynoscion regalis Appearance: dark olive or blue-green back; sides covered in tones of blue, purple, lavender, gold and copper; irregular diagonal…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

White Bass

in Freshwater Fish
White Bass: Appearance: White bass look like short stripers. They are silvery-white with five to eight dusky black stripes on the sides. Stripes below the…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

White Catfish

in Freshwater Fish
White Catfish: Appearance: Sides are blue-gray to blue-black and may be mottled. The tail is moderately forked, and the anal fin is shorter and rounder than…
Image by Diane Rome Peebles

White Grunt

in Saltwater Fish
White Grunt: Haemulon plumieri Appearance: body color light bluish-gray, head with horizontal blue stripes, white underbelly; black blotch on preopercle; margin…
Image by Diane Rome Peebles

White Marlin

in Saltwater Fish
White Marlin: Tetrapterus albidus Appearance: color of body dark blue to chocolate brown, shading to silvery white underbelly; noticeable spots on dorsal fin;…
Whitebait image by Dianne Peebles for Florida Fish and Wildlife

Whitebait (Pilchards)

in Bait Fish
Pilchard Sardines (Whitebait): Harengula jaguana Appearance: Shiny silver-white with dark green backs (hence the label "Greenbacks"). The term greenbacks is…
Image Credit: Duane Raver, Jr.

Yellow Bullhead

in Freshwater Fish
Yellow Bullhead: Appearance: Similar to brown bullhead but with light colored barbels. Habitat: The habitat is variable and includes vegetated areas of clear,…
Image by Diane Rome Peebles

Yellowfin Grouper

in Saltwater Fish
Yellowfin Grouper: Mycteroperca venenosa Appearance: color highly variable greenish olive or bright red with longitudinal rows of darker black blotches over…

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