One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Fish monitoring programs and fish taxonomy in the Florida Keys Presented by, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Finfish Research Group Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement Freshwater Fisheries Management Hunting and Game Management Marine Fisheries Management Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Lobster Research Sea Turtle Research Coral Research Conch Stone Crab Fisheries Dependent Research Finfish

Morphology Main Entry: mor·phol·o·gy Function: noun Etymology: from morph- = shape + -ology = study 1 a : a branch of biology that deals with the form and structure of animals and plants b : the form and structure of an organism or any of its parts

Diversity of Fish Over 24,600 living species of fish in 482 families and 57 orders. Only 850 are cartilaginous leaving over 23,000 or more species of bony fish. Range in size from a few mm to 18 m Broken down by major habitats: 41% live in freshwater, 58% live in seawater, and 1% move between both. perthrelocationlatestnews.wordpress.com www.daviddarling.info

Morphology of Fish Fusiform (Streamlined) Laterally Compressed (Flattened from side to side) Depressed (Flattened from top to bottom)

Morphology of Fish Fish with rounded and truncate caudal fins are usually strong, but slow, swimmers. Anterior: For eating in the water column Ventral: For eating on the bottom Many continuously swimming fish have forked caudal fins. Dorsal: For eating near the surface Fish with lunate caudal fins tend to be the fastest fishes and maintain a rapid speed for long durations.

External Fish Anatomy Lateral Line Caudal Fin Dorsal Fin Premaxilla Pelvic Fin Opercal Pectoral Fin Premaxilla Preopercal Caudal Peduncle

Dichotomous Key

Classification of Reef Fishes Lennaeus developed a system of classification in the 1700s that is still used today.

Family: Pomacanthidae Etymology: Greek, Poma- = operculum, acanth- = spine. Strongly compressed body Preopercle has an obvious spine Caudal fin rounded to strongly lunate with 15 branched rays Typically diurnal In shallow waters of less than 20 m deep, very seldom below 50 m; generally near coral reefs Several species are protogynous hermaphrodites engaging in 'haremic' social system. Three basic feeding styles: predation on sessile invertebrates, herbivory and planktivory

Family: Pomacanthidae Holacanthus tricolor Holacanthus ciliaris www.seasky.org Pomacanthus arcuatus www.reefnews.com aquadaily.com

Family: Acanthuridae Etymology: Greek, akantha = thorn + oura = tail Deep compressed body with the eye high on the head Single unnotched dorsal fin with 4-9 spines and 19-31 rays Typically diurnal Pelvic fins with 1 spine and 3 or 5 rays A small terminal mouth with a single row of close-set teeth Most graze on benthic algae, some feed mainly on zooplankton or detritus Able to slash other fishes with their sharp caudal spines by a rapid side sweep of the tail

filaman.ifm-geomar.de/identification/speciesl Family: Acanthuridae Acanthurus coeruleus Acanthurus chirurgus Acanthurus bahianus filaman.ifm-geomar.de/identification/speciesl www.reefnews.com reefguide.org

Family: Chaetodontidae Entomology: Greek, Chaet- = bristle, odont- = tooth Highly compressed body. Dorsal fin continuous, with 6-16 spines and 15-30 soft rays Caudal fin with 15 branched rays, usually rounded Scales extend onto dorsal fins Mouth small, terminal with a band or rows of small brushlike teeth Typically diurnal Many feed on a combination of coral polyps or jellyfish tentacles, small invertebrates, fish eggs, and filamentous algae while others are planktivores Most species occur as heterosexual pairs

Family: Chaetodontidae Chaetodon capistratus Chaetodon ocellatus Chaetodon ocellatus www.westworld.com/~fabio/gallery/ reefguide.org/carib/reefbutterflyfish www.keyshistory.org/reef-fish.html

Etymology: French, carangue = name of fish given in Caribe Family: Carangidae Etymology: French, carangue = name of fish given in Caribe Body generally compressed though some are fusiform Scales along lateral line often modified into spiny scutes Large juveniles and adults with 2 dorsal fins Anterior dorsal fin with 3-9 spines; the second having 1 spine and usually 18-37 soft rays Widely forked caudal fin Caudal peduncle slender Fast swimming predators of the waters above the reef and in the open sea Some root in sand for invertebrates and fishes

Family: Carangidae Caranx crysos Seriola dumerili Caranx ruber www.wetwebmedia.com/jacks.htm Caranx ruber fishindex.blogspot.com www.inkbox.net/stjohn/

Etymology: Latin, serranus = derived from saw, fish saw Family: Serranidae Etymology: Latin, serranus = derived from saw, fish saw Operculum bearing 3 spines Lateral line complete and continuous, not reaching onto caudal fin Dorsal fin may be notched, with 7-12 spines Caudal fin usually rounded, truncate, or lunate; rarely forked One spine on pelvic fin; soft rays 5 Most are protogynous hermaphrodites,they change sex from females to a few dominant males. Attain up to 3 m maximum length and weights of up to 400 kg Bottom-dwelling predators that feed on crustaceans and fishes

Family: Serranidae Epinephelus morio Mycteroperca bonaci Epinephelus striatus www.dixiediver.com www.pbase.com/elif/image/30830214 Kirk Kilfoyle

Etymology: Latin, sacrus = a fish described by ancient writers Family: Scaridae Etymology: Latin, sacrus = a fish described by ancient writers Jaw teeth fused Spines in dorsal fin 9; soft rays 10 One spine in pelvic; soft rays 5 Caudal fin with 11 branched rays Lateral line can be interrupted with usually 22-24 scales Herbivorous, usually scraping algae from dead coral substrates. Bits of rock eaten with the algae are crushed into sand Some species rest enveloped in their mucus Sex change is a common occurrence, with an initial phase of both males and females, and the latter changing into a brilliantly colored male terminal phase

Family: Scaridae Sparisoma viride Scarus coeruleus Scarus iserti reefguide.org

Etymology: Latin, labrum = lip or edge Family: Labridae Etymology: Latin, labrum = lip or edge Most jaw teeth with gaps between them; teeth usually jutting outward Dorsal fin 8-21 spines (usually less than15), 6-21 soft rays Lateral line interrupted or continuous. Most species are sand burrowers; carnivores on benthic invertebrates; also planktivores, and some small species remove parasites from larger fishes Most species change color and sex with growth, from an initial phase of both males and females, the latter able to change sex into an often brilliantly colored terminal male phase

Family: Labridae Thalassoma bifasciatum Halichoeres garnoti Halichoeres maculipinna www.diveaugusta.com secamarinelife.com.au www.fishbase.org

Family: Pomacentridae Etymology: Poma- = opercle, centron = spine, (refers to pointed margin of opercle) Body usually deep and compressed Small mouth Incomplete and interrupted lateral line Many species are highly territorial herbivores, omnivores, or planktivores. Lay elliptical demersal eggs that are guarded by the males Included in this family are the anemonefishes

Family: Pomacentridae Stegastes variabilis Abudefduf saxatilis Stegastes planifrons reefguide.org southpadreaquarium.com www.scuba-equipment-usa.com

Etymology: Greek - haimalios = bloody Family: Haemulidae Etymology: Greek - haimalios = bloody Dorsal fin continuous, 9-14 spines, 11-26 soft rays Small mouth with thick lips Some species make grunting noises by grinding their teeth Adults are typically inactive during day when they shelter near or under ledges; they disperse to feed on benthic invertebrates at night

Haemulon flavolineatum Family: Haemulidae Haemulon plumierii Haemulon flavolineatum Haemulon sciurus www.aug.edu netisbeautiful.com www.dianeandscott.com

Etymology: Malay, ikan lutjan, name of a fish Family: Lutjanidae Etymology: Malay, ikan lutjan, name of a fish Dorsal fin continuous or slightly notched Spines in dorsal fin 10-12; soft rays 10-17 Pelvic fins originating just behind pectoral base Mouth terminal, Jaws bearing enlarged canine teeth To about 1 m maximum length Most species are predators of crustaceans and fishes, several are planktivores Generally demersal, down to depths of about 450 m

Family: Lutjanidae Lutjanus jocu Lutjanus analis Lutjanus apodus Ocyurus chrysurus Ocyurus chrysurus www.reefguide.org

Why do we identify fish? Indices of relative abundance by species Habitat Associations Species distributions Life history Length frequency distributions Ecosystem modeling For Stock assessment

~ 53% Unknown You are here

Reef Visual Census Divers are used to visit specific area and conduct a count of the species of fish seen there.

Reef Visual Census Methodology 5 - 10 and >10 minute count 5 minute count 15 m

Study Area

Sampling Effort Results Year Total Surveys FWC Surveys % Survey Effort (FWC) Survey Days (NOAA-NPS) Survey Days (FWC) Surveys per Day (FWC) Fish Abundance (All) Fish Abundance (FWC) % Abundance Effort (FWC) 2008 1,543 607 39% 37 33 4.6 287,197 92,316 32% 2009 2,041 912 45% 43 42 5.4 478,568 221,760 46% 2010 1,436 551 38% 30 28 5.7 255,622 93,455 37% Total 5,020 2,070 41% 110 103 1,021,387 407,531 Number of Surveys per diver/ Year Sampling Days per diver/ Year Summary of effort and catch data for Florida Keys visual survey sampling, 2008-2010

Quiz Time What is it called when a fish is active during the day? What does it mean if a fish is a planktivore? What does the term “morphology” mean? What does protogynous hermaphrodite mean in regards to fish? What does a scientist do with a dichotomous key?

Thank you Any Questions?

Describe the fish in front of you using terms you learned today. Activity Time!!!! Describe the fish in front of you using terms you learned today.