Transcript Wildlife Management

Saltwater Fish Species
Identification
Mr. Robinson
Today We Will
Describe saltwater fish habitats
 Differentiate between saltwater
fish species
 Identify locations for successful
fishing

What do you need

Reliable radio
 Compass
 Life jacket
 Sea chart
 Knowledge
Fish Classification
Cartilaginous
•
•
Sharks, Skates and
rays
Skeletons of cartilage
rather than bone
Bony fishes
•
•
Skeletons of bone
Over 95% of known fish
species
Fish Classification
Ecological Groupings
Inshore (littoral)
• Offshore bottom (reef)
• Offshore migratory (pelagic)
•
Inshore (coastal) Habitat
Most marine fishes locate
themselves near the edges of
continents
Inshore Habitats
Estuaries


Fresh and salt waters meet and
mix
Harsh environment
– Fluctuating salinity and
temperature
– Fish expend energy by
swimming in search of better
conditions
Exposed Beaches


Turbulent environment
Small disoriented invertebrates
provide constant food source
Inshore Habitats
Salt Marshes



Salt tolerable plants invade
mudflats
One of best nutrient producing
habitats
Will support large fish and
invertebrates
Mudflats



A feature that allows sediment
to accumulate
Receding tides expose
accumulations
Worms, clams and other
burrowers are abundant
Inshore Habitats
Seagrass Flats



Shallow coastal areas often
regress into flats
Highly productive habitat
Large populations of fish can be
supported
Near-shore Soft
Bottoms


Soft, silty featureless bottom
Fish are of commercial
importance
Inshore Species
Red Drum





Silver to bronze
Black spot at upper base of tail
Grayish silver fins
Found along passes and channels between bars
3-4 lbs.
Inshore Species
Speckled Trout






Dark grayish-blue back
Silvery bottom
Dark spots on upper sides, dorsal fin and tail
One or two prominent canine teeth on upper jaw
Grassy areas, bays and coastal areas
1-2 lbs.
Inshore Species
Sheepshead





Convict Fish
Vertical black and white bars
Sharp spines and gill covers
Near pilings, jetties, reefs and shell shores
1-3 lbs.
Inshore Species
Hardhead Catfish





Dark grey back
Silvery-white underneath
Coast, bays and inlets
Toxic slime on fins
½-3 lbs.
Inshore Species
Southern Flounder







Dark olive to lighter brown
Lies on side
White underside
Both eyes on “up” side
Sandy and silty bottoms along shores and estuaries
Caught by gigging
1-2 lbs.
Inshore Species
Atlantic Stingray







Brownish above
White underneath
Rhomboid shape
Triangular nose
Painful tail spine
Found on or close to bottom
6-8 inches wide and up to 2 feet in length
Inshore Species
Bull Shark






Dark gray above
White below
Wide head, blunt snout, and heavy body
Live in fresh and salt waters
Found in estuaries, bays and shallow waters
Up to 500 lbs. and 10 feet long
Inshore Species
Tarpon





Silver king
Body jaws, elongated dorsal fin, falcate anal fin, and large flat scales
Exciting catch
Found in estuaries, bays and inlets
30-80 lbs.
Deep Sea Habitats
Natural Reefs



Abundance of food and shelter
Reduced wave activity
“Fish eat fish” world
Artificial Reefs



Most costly to incorporate
Many fish seek out for shelter
Sunken objects
– Burned car shells
– Bundles of clay and concrete
– Pipe
– Oyster shells
– Sunken ships
Fish Eat Fish World

Catch small fish
 Notice increase in
strength
 Pull up much larger
fish
Deep Sea Habitats
Blue Water Line



Two currents come in contact
Forms line of sediment and
trash
Allows fish to hide from
predators
Off-Shore Oil Rigs


Supports covered with algae,
crustaceans and snails
Trolling
– Avoid close passes for safety

Still fishing
– Tie up to support
– Attracts fish from depths
Deep Sea Habitats
Objects



Floating debris
Turtles
Fishing boats
– Smaller fish escape nets
– Throw undesirable species overboard
Bottom/Reef
Offshore Species
Red Snapper





Deep rosy color with dark fringe around fins
Often confused with redfish
United dorsal fin
Found close to the bottom
Strike chum bait rather than lures
Bottom/Reef
Offshore Species
Jewfish




Dark to chocolate brown
Round tailfins
Large reaching 400-500 lbs.
Good spear fishing
Migratory
Offshore Species
Wahoo




Dark blue above, lavender sides and silver underneath
Young have distinctive vertical bars
Solitary feeder
20 lbs.
Migratory
Offshore Species
Cobia





Dark brown to black above with white below
Spike like spines on dorsal fins
Dark band from snout to tail
Tendency to associate with floating objects
15-30 lbs.
Migratory
Offshore Species
Spanish Mackerel






Black top, blue-green sides and silver below
Orange to brown spots
Huge schools along coast
Found in mouth passes into the gulf
Most abundant during summer
1-2 lbs.
Migratory
Offshore Species
Blackfin Tuna





Dark blue back to silver below
Vertical bars and dots along sides
May have yellow streak on sides
Live and move freely in the open sea
10-20 lbs.
Migratory
Offshore Species
Blue Marlin





Deep blue above to silvery-white underneath
Vertical lavender bars appear when hooked
Found in deep blue waters far offshore
Highly sought after sport fish
200 lbs.
What
fish swims on it’s
side?
What is the most costly
type of habitat?
What is also known as
the “convict fish”
What fish has two prominent canine
teeth?
What is formed when fresh and salt
waters mix?
References

http://research.myfwc.com/
 http://www.boated.com/fl/handbook/saltwater_fish.htm
 IMS form 8985-D