Florida Keys Fish ID Marine Science Period 3 Coral beauty – not native!! – substitute 4 eye butterfly fish Flame Fish – not native – substitute Damsel Florida Keys Fish ID Marine Science Period 3

Etymology: Latin, serranus = derived from saw, fish saw Family: Serranidae Etymology: Latin, serranus = derived from saw, fish saw Lateral line complete and continuous, not reaching onto caudal fin Operculum bearing 3 spines Caudal fin usually rounded, truncate, or lunate; rarely forked Most are protogynous hermaphrodites, Bottom-dwelling predators that feed on crustaceans and fishes

Red Grouper Epinephelus morio

Warsaw Grouper Epinephelus nigritus uniformly dark brown, with no distinct markings; dorsal fin with 10 spines; second spine very long (much longer than third); caudal fin squared-off; rear nostril larger than front nostril; young have yellow caudal fin with dark saddle on caudal peduncle; some whitish spots on body  Epinephelus nigritus

Black Grouper Mycteroperca bonaci www.pbase.com/elif/image/30830214

Family Coryphaenidae - Dolphinfishes Slender fishes with compressed head and body. The single dorsal fin originates on the head and extends over nearly the full length of the body. No spines; Deeply forked caudal fin. Forehead steep and high in adult males. Live specimens with exceedingly beautiful colors.

Dolphin Coryphaena hippurus

Family: Labridae - Wrasses Etymology: Latin, labrum = lip or edge Most jaw teeth with gaps between them; teeth usually jutting outward 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

Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus

Family: Lutjanidae - Snappers Etymology: Malay, ikan lutjan, name of a fish Dorsal fin continuous or slightly notched Pelvic fins originating just behind pectoral base Mouth terminal, Jaws bearing enlarged canine teeth Most species are predators of crustaceans and fishes, several are planktivores

Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus chrysurus

Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis

Cubera Snapper Lutjanus cyanopterus

Family: Carangidae - Jacks 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

Permit Trachinotus falcatus

Palometa Trachinotus goodei

Rachycentridae - Cobia Family Rachycentron canadum

Scorpaenidae- Scorpionfish found in all tropical and temperate seas. Body compressed head usually with ridges and spines; Usually 1 dorsal fin, often notched. Dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines can bear venom gland. The family contains the world's most venomous fishes, many of them brightly colored. Most species live on or near the bottom and feed on crustaceans or fishes

Red Lion Fish Pterois volitans

Sphyraenidae - Barracudas Elongated body. Large-mouthed with the lower jaw projecting forward bearing strong fanglike teeth. Upper jaw non-protractile, an adaptation to feeding on large prey. Well-developed lateral line. Position of pectoral fins relatively low. Dorsal fins far apart.

Great Barracuda Sphyraena_barracuda

Family: Pomacanthidae – Angelfishes Etymology: Greek, Poma- = operculum, acanth- = spine. Strongly compressed body Spine on preoperculum Caudal fin rounded to strongly lunate Typically diurnal Several species are protogynous hermaphrodites Three basic feeding styles: predation on sessile invertebrates, herbivory and planktivory

Rock Beauty Holacanthus tricolor www.seasky.org

Family: Chaetodontidae –Butterfly Fishes 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

Four-Eyed Butterfly Fish Chaetodon capistratus

Family Istiophoridae - Billfishes Premaxilla and nasal bones produced, forming a spear-like bill or rostrum with a rounded cross-section. Bill used for stunning prey fish. Jaw teeth present. Two keels on each side of caudal peduncle in adults. Dorsal fin extending over much of body length; sometimes resembling a sail. Dorsal fin can be depressed into a groove. Lateral line persists in life.

Atlantic Sailfish Istiophorus albicans

Xiphiidae - Swordfish Xiphias gladius

Megalopidae – Tarpon Family Fusiform, compressed body. Mouth terminal, oblique or superior, lower jaw prominent, Single dorsal fin without spines Pectorals very low.

Tarpon Megalops atlanticus

Holocentridae- Squirrelfish Family Dorsal fin long with 10-13 spines and a notched soft-rayed part with 11-17 rays. Forked caudal fin; Large eyes. Spiny-edged operculum. Usually reddish in color. Most are nocturnal. Usually cryptic during the day in crevices or beneath ledges of reefs, along with cardinal fishes, bigeyes, and sweepers.

Longspine Squirrelfish Holocentrus rufus

Sciaenidae – Drum/Croaker Family found worldwide, in both fresh and salt water, and are typically benthic carnivores, feeding on crustaceans and smaller fish long dorsal fin reaching nearly to the tail mouth is set low and usually ventral croaking involves the beating of abdominal muscles against the swim bladder

Jackknife Fish Equetus lanceolatus 

Syngnathidae -Pipefishes & seahorses from Greek, syn meaning fused or together, and gnathus meaning jaws. elongated snouts, fused jaws, absence of pelvid fins, and thick plates of bony armor covering their bodies  male fertilizes eggs and carries them during incubation Male seahorses have a specialized ventral pouch to carry the eggs, male sea dragons attach the eggs to their tails male pipefish may do either, depending on their species

Lined Seahorse Hippocampus erectus

Scrawled Cowfish Family Ostraciidae Acanthostracion quadricornis

Porcupine Fish – Family Diodontidae Diodon hystrix

Family: Pomacentridae – Damsel Fish 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

Yellowtail Damsel Microspathodon chrysurus

Whale shark – Family Rhincodontidae Rhincodon typus