Transcript Florida Keys Fish ID Period 5 2014

Cer0 mackerel
Gulf flounder
Florida Keys Fish ID
Marine Science
Period 5
2014
Ocean Sunfish – Family Molidae
Mola mola
Family: Serranidae - Groupers
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
Goliath Grouper
Epinephelus itajara
Yellowfin Grouper
Mycteroperca venenosa
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
Mutton Snapper
Lutjanus analis
Queen Snapper
Etelis oculatus
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.
Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans
Photograph by Tony Arruza/Corbis
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
Scombridae - Mackerels
• Body elongate and fusiform, moderately
compressed in some genera.
• Snout pointedmouth large; teeth in jaws
strong, moderate, or weak; no true canines;
palate and tongue may bear teeth.
• The 2 dorsal fins separate and depressible into
grooves with 5-12 finlets behind second dorsal
and anal fins;
• Pectoral fins high on body.
• Lateral line simple.
Cero Mackerel
Scomberomorus regalis
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
Florida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
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
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
Ladyfish – Family Elopidae
Elops saurus
Bonefish – Family Albulidae
Albula vulpes
•
•
•
•
•
Scorpaenidae –Scorpion Fish
Family
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 – Angelfish
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
Queen Angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
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
Longspine Squirrelfish
Holocentrus rufus
Holocentridae – Squirrelfish
• 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.
Intermediate
Juvenile
Cocoa Damsel
Stegastes variabilis
Adult
Balistidae – Triggerfish
• Usually compressed body. Pelvic fins fused to
one spine.
• First dorsal spine with locking mechanism.
• Capable of rotating eyeballs independently.
• Triggerfish normally swim by undulating their
second dorsal and anal fins, but will use their
tail for rapid bursts.
• Most triggerfishes are solitary diurnal
carnivores, feeding on a wide variety of
invertebrates.
Queen Triggerfish
Balistes vetula
Porcupine Fish – Family Diodontidae
Diodon hystrix
Gulf Flounder
Paralichthys albiguttata
Requiem Sharks – Family
Carcharinidae
• one of the largest families with 54 species in
12 genera
• Spindle shaped bodies being wider in the
middle and tapering towards the nose and
tail.
• Eyes are round and have an internal
nictitating membrane for protection
• active hunters and eat a wide range of prey
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Great White Shark
Carcharodon carcharias
Goblin Shark
Family Mitsukurinidae
Mitsukurina owstoni