Identifying Saltwater Fish By: Dustin Carnahan

Introduction Recall yesterday when we discussed Freshwater Fish species Recall yesterday when we discussed Freshwater Fish species We will do the same today for saltwater fish We will do the same today for saltwater fish After you are able to identify the fish in class today, you will be very knowledgeable if you go fishing After you are able to identify the fish in class today, you will be very knowledgeable if you go fishing

Objectives You will be able to… You will be able to… –Identify the species of saltwater fish –Discuss the fish’s habitats –Apply what you have learned by play “The Fishing Game!”

Two Types of Fish Cartilaginous Fish Cartilaginous Fish –Have a firm, elastic, flexible type of connective tissue –Skeletons made of cartilage instead of true bone –Bony teeth are present on both jaws; lower jaw is well developed –Sharks, skates, & rays

Two Types of Fish Bony Fish Bony Fish –95% of all known fish species –Includes most of our familiar food and game fish

Red Drum Black spot at the upper base of the tail (usually one spot on each side) Black spot at the upper base of the tail (usually one spot on each side) Sometimes they have many spots, and sometimes there is none Sometimes they have many spots, and sometimes there is none Color ranges from silver to bronze Color ranges from silver to bronze Fins are grayish silver Fins are grayish silver

Red Drum – Cont’d Adults found along passes and channels between bars Adults found along passes and channels between bars Young fish are found in bays Young fish are found in bays Often seen in schools Often seen in schools Found feeding in shallow grassy flats Found feeding in shallow grassy flats Avg. 1-2 lbs.; Edible Avg. 1-2 lbs.; Edible 0,13199,336283,00.html

Speckled Trout The back is dark grayish- blue shading to a silvery bottom The back is dark grayish- blue shading to a silvery bottom Dark spots located on both upper sides, dorsal fin, and tail Dark spots located on both upper sides, dorsal fin, and tail Upper jaw has one or two easily seen canine teeth Upper jaw has one or two easily seen canine teeth Enjoy grassy areas, bays, and coastal environments Enjoy grassy areas, bays, and coastal environments Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible derby/spktrout.html

Sheepshead Often called “convict fish” because of its vertical black and white bars Often called “convict fish” because of its vertical black and white bars Sharp spines & gill covers make it difficult to handle Sharp spines & gill covers make it difficult to handle Adults found near pilings, jetties, reefs, and shell shores Adults found near pilings, jetties, reefs, and shell shores Young fish seek cover and food in grassy flats Young fish seek cover and food in grassy flats Avg. 1-3 lbs; Edible Avg. 1-3 lbs; Edible marinefisheries.org/photo.htm

Hardhead Catfish Bait thief and voracious eater Bait thief and voracious eater Dark gray on the back, shading to silvery-white beneath Dark gray on the back, shading to silvery-white beneath Feed in schools along the coast, bays, and inlets Feed in schools along the coast, bays, and inlets Arius_felis.htm

Hardhead Catfish – Cont’d BE CAREFUL when handling; dorsal & pectoral fins covered with a slightly toxic slime that causes extreme pain and infection if it penetrates the skin BE CAREFUL when handling; dorsal & pectoral fins covered with a slightly toxic slime that causes extreme pain and infection if it penetrates the skin Avg. ½ - 3 lbs; Not usually eaten Avg. ½ - 3 lbs; Not usually eaten Arius_felis.htm

Southern Flounder Varies in color from dark olive to light brown with a white underside Varies in color from dark olive to light brown with a white underside This fish lies on its side rather than on its abdomen This fish lies on its side rather than on its abdomen Both eyes are on the left or “up” side Both eyes are on the left or “up” side Found in sandy or silty bottoms along shores and bays Found in sandy or silty bottoms along shores and bays Harvested by gigging Harvested by gigging Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible

Atlantic Stingray Color ranges from brownish above, lighter on edges and white underneath Color ranges from brownish above, lighter on edges and white underneath Very common in Texas waters Very common in Texas waters Penetration of the tail spine is very painful Penetration of the tail spine is very painful Lives on or close to the bottom Lives on or close to the bottom Eat bottom worms, crustaceans, and small fish Eat bottom worms, crustaceans, and small fish Avg. 6-8 inches wide, up to 2 feet in length; Wings are Edible Avg. 6-8 inches wide, up to 2 feet in length; Wings are Edible stingray.htm

Bull Shark Dark gray or gray above and white below Dark gray or gray above and white below Wide head, blunt snout and heavy Wide head, blunt snout and heavy Can live in both fresh and salt waters Can live in both fresh and salt waters Found in estuaries, bays, and shallow waters Found in estuaries, bays, and shallow waters Can reach 500 lbs & 10 feet in length; Flesh is Edible and skin can be used for leather Can reach 500 lbs & 10 feet in length; Flesh is Edible and skin can be used for leather facts.html

Tarpon Brilliant silver color, bony jaws, elongated dorsal fin, curved anal fin, and large flat scales Brilliant silver color, bony jaws, elongated dorsal fin, curved anal fin, and large flat scales Found in estuaries, bays and inlets, or within 3 miles of coastal beaches Found in estuaries, bays and inlets, or within 3 miles of coastal beaches Avg lbs; Not usually eaten Avg lbs; Not usually eaten vtour/bigfish.html

Red Snapper Deep rosy-red color with dark fringe around dorsal and caudal fins Deep rosy-red color with dark fringe around dorsal and caudal fins Has a terminal mouth and united dorsal fin Has a terminal mouth and united dorsal fin Dark spot on the base of the tail Dark spot on the base of the tail Prefer to live close to the bottom and usually strike chum bait rather than lures Prefer to live close to the bottom and usually strike chum bait rather than lures Avg. 2-4 lbs; Excellent eating! Avg. 2-4 lbs; Excellent eating! fishing.html

Jewfish Larger species in Texas waters Larger species in Texas waters Color ranges from dark to chocolate-brown; some have faint pale blotches Color ranges from dark to chocolate-brown; some have faint pale blotches Young fish are mottled with small dark spots Young fish are mottled with small dark spots Tailfins are round Tailfins are round Considered a prime for spear fishing Considered a prime for spear fishing Occasionally reaches lbs. Occasionally reaches lbs. Avg lbs; Edible Avg lbs; Edible fish/goliath_grouper.htm

Wahoo Found in deep blue waters far from shore Found in deep blue waters far from shore Colorful ranging from dark blue above to lavender sides and silver underneath Colorful ranging from dark blue above to lavender sides and silver underneath Young fish have distinctive vertical bars Young fish have distinctive vertical bars They are solitary feeders They are solitary feeders Avg. 20 lbs.; Flesh is Edible but firm Avg. 20 lbs.; Flesh is Edible but firm poissons_ocean_indien.html

Cobia Highly sought after sport fish Highly sought after sport fish Darker brown on back, silvery-white below Darker brown on back, silvery-white below 8-9 free spike-like spines on the dorsal fin; a dark lateral band from the snout to the tail 8-9 free spike-like spines on the dorsal fin; a dark lateral band from the snout to the tail Known to associate itself with floating objects (buoys, boats, logs, turtles, etc.) Known to associate itself with floating objects (buoys, boats, logs, turtles, etc.) Avg lbs; Edible Avg lbs; Edible fish%20pages/Cobia.htm

Spanish Mackerel Back and upper sides are blue or blue-green, shading to silver below Back and upper sides are blue or blue-green, shading to silver below Orange-brown spots are dispersed laterally Orange-brown spots are dispersed laterally Found in huge schools along the coast Found in huge schools along the coast Passes into coasts into the Gulf, rarely entering bays Passes into coasts into the Gulf, rarely entering bays Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible

Atlantic Black Fin Tuna The back is dark blue shading to silver below The back is dark blue shading to silver below Vertical bars and dots are located on the sides under the long pectoral fins Vertical bars and dots are located on the sides under the long pectoral fins Some have a yellow streak on their sides Some have a yellow streak on their sides Live and move freely in the open sea Live and move freely in the open sea Avg lbs; Edible Avg lbs; Edible BluefinTuna-2180.cfm

Blue Marlin Color is deep blue above shading to silvery-white below Color is deep blue above shading to silvery-white below Vertical lavender bars appear when hooked Vertical lavender bars appear when hooked Found in the deep blue waters far offshore Found in the deep blue waters far offshore Avg. 200 lbs; Edible Avg. 200 lbs; Edible

Ecological Groupings 3 Types 3 Types –Inshore Species –Offshore Bottom Species –Offshore Migratory Species Which fish fit into each category? Which fish fit into each category?

NOW let’s play NOW let’s play “The Fishing Game!” “The Fishing Game!”

Overview Which fish is known as the “convict fish”? Which fish is known as the “convict fish”? Which fish should you be very careful when handling? Which fish should you be very careful when handling? Which fish associates itself with floating objects? Which fish associates itself with floating objects? Which fish is considered VERY tasty? Which fish is considered VERY tasty? What are the three ecological groupings? What are the three ecological groupings?

Summary Today we were able to… Today we were able to… –Identify the various species of fish by looking at color, shape or form, and where they can be found