Download Saltwater Fish

Identifying Saltwater Fish
By: Dustin Carnahan
Introduction
• Recall yesterday when we discussed
Freshwater Fish species
• 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
Objectives
• 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
– 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
–95% of all known fish species
–Includes most of our familiar food
and game fish
Red Drum
• Black spot at the upper
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•
•
base of the tail (usually
one spot on each side)
Sometimes they have
many spots, and
sometimes there is none
Color ranges from silver
to bronze
Fins are grayish silver
Red Drum – Cont’d
• Adults found along
•
•
•
passes and channels
between bars
Young fish are found in
bays
Often seen in schools
Found feeding in
shallow grassy flats
Avg. 1-2 lbs.; Edible
www.fieldandstream.com/.../article/ 0,13199,336283,00.html
•
Speckled Trout
• The back is dark grayish•
•
•
•
blue shading to a silvery
bottom
Dark spots located on both
upper sides, dorsal fin, and
tail
Upper jaw has one or two
easily seen canine teeth
Enjoy grassy areas, bays,
and coastal environments
Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible
www.fishtradewinds.com/ derby/spktrout.html
Sheepshead
• Often called “convict fish”
because of its vertical
black and white bars
• Sharp spines & gill covers
make it difficult to handle
• Adults found near pilings,
jetties, reefs, and shell
shores
• Young fish seek cover
and food in grassy flats
• Avg. 1-3 lbs; Edible
marinefisheries.org/photo.htm
Hardhead Catfish
• Bait thief and
voracious eater
• Dark gray on the
back, shading to
silvery-white
beneath
• Feed in schools
along the coast,
bays, and inlets
www.sms.si.edu/IRLSpec/ 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
Avg. ½ - 3 lbs; Not
usually eaten
www.sms.si.edu/IRLSpec/ Arius_felis.htm
Southern Flounder
• Varies in color from dark
•
•
•
•
•
olive to light brown with a
white underside
This fish lies on its side
rather than on its
abdomen
Both eyes are on the left
or “up” side
Found in sandy or silty
bottoms along shores and
bays
Harvested by gigging
Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible
Atlantic Stingray
• Color ranges from brownish
•
•
•
•
•
above, lighter on edges and
white underneath
Very common in Texas
waters
Penetration of the tail spine
is very painful
Lives on or close to the
bottom
Eat bottom worms,
crustaceans, and small fish
Avg. 6-8 inches wide, up to
2 feet in length; Wings are
Edible
www.cayman.org/fauna/ stingray.htm
Bull Shark
• Dark gray or gray above
•
•
•
•
and white below
Wide head, blunt snout
and heavy
Can live in both fresh and
salt 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
www.sharkmans-world.com/ facts.html
Tarpon
• 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
Avg. 30-80 lbs; Not
usually eaten
www.mote.org/~kevin/ vtour/bigfish.html
Red Snapper
• Deep rosy-red color with
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•
•
•
dark fringe around dorsal
and caudal fins
Has a terminal mouth
and united dorsal fin
Dark spot on the base of
the tail
Prefer to live close to the
bottom and usually strike
chum bait rather than
lures
Avg. 2-4 lbs; Excellent
eating!
www.graytonbeach.com/ fishing.html
Jewfish
• Larger species in Texas
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•
•
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•
•
waters
Color ranges from dark to
chocolate-brown; some
have faint pale blotches
Young fish are mottled
with small dark spots
Tailfins are round
Considered a prime for
spear fishing
Occasionally reaches 400500 lbs.
Avg. 40-120 lbs; Edible
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/species/ fish/goliath_grouper.htm
Wahoo
• Found in deep blue waters far from shore
• Colorful ranging from dark blue above to
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lavender sides and silver underneath
Young fish have distinctive vertical bars
They are solitary feeders
Avg. 20 lbs.; Flesh is Edible but firm
www.sakatia-passions.com/peche/ poissons_ocean_indien.html
Cobia
• Highly sought after sport fish
• Darker brown on back, silvery-white below
• 8-9 free spike-like spines on the dorsal fin; a
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•
dark lateral band from the snout to the tail
Known to associate itself with floating objects
(buoys, boats, logs, turtles, etc.)
Avg. 15-30 lbs; Edible
www.fisheries.vims.edu/femap/ fish%20pages/Cobia.htm
Spanish Mackerel
• Back and upper sides are blue or blue-green,
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shading to silver below
Orange-brown spots are dispersed laterally
Found in huge schools along the coast
Passes into coasts into the Gulf, rarely entering
bays
Avg. 1-2 lbs; Edible
www.rodnreel.com/spanmack.htm
Atlantic Black Fin Tuna
• The back is dark blue
•
•
•
•
shading to silver below
Vertical bars and dots
are located on the
sides under the long
pectoral fins
Some have a yellow
streak on their sides
Live and move freely in
the open sea
Avg. 10-20 lbs; Edible
www.chartingnature.com/ BluefinTuna-2180.cfm
Blue Marlin
• Color is deep blue above shading to silvery-white
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•
•
below
Vertical lavender bars appear when hooked
Found in the deep blue waters far offshore
Avg. 200 lbs; Edible
www.cullen.demon.co.uk/
Ecological Groupings
• 3 Types
–Inshore Species
–Offshore Bottom Species
–Offshore Migratory Species
• Which fish fit into each category?
NOW let’s play
“The Fishing Game!”
Overview
• Which fish is known as the “convict fish”?
• Which fish should you be very careful
when handling?
• Which fish associates itself with floating
objects?
• Which fish is considered VERY tasty?
• What are the three ecological groupings?
Summary
• Today we were able to…
–Identify the various species of fish
by looking at color, shape or form,
and where they can be found