spines. Dull red body coloration occasionally with white blotches. RKW. Nassau
Grouper. Epinephelus striatus. Dark stripe through eye. Black saddle on caudal.
Inshore Fishes
Red Drum (Spottail, redfish, channel bass, puppy drum,) Sciaenops ocellatus May have multiple spots along dorsal surface..
RKW
Black Drum Pogonias cromis Broad black vertical bars along body.
Barbells on chin.
Spotted Seatrout (Winter trout, speckled trout) Cynoscion nebulosus Numerous distinct black spots on dorsal surface.
Most commonly encountered in rivers and estuaries.
RKW
Most commonly encountered just offshore around live bottom and artificial reefs.
Weakfish (Summer trout, Gray trout) Cynoscion regalis
RKW
Silver coloration with no spots. Large eye
Sand Seatrout Cynoscion arenarius
RKW
Spot Leiostomus xanthurus Distinct spot on shoulder.
RKW
Atlantic Croaker (Hardhead) Micropogonias undulatus
Silver Perch (Virginia Perch) Bairdiella chrysoura
RKW
RKW
Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus Broad black vertical bars along body.
RKW
Pinfish (Sailors Choice) Lagodon rhomboides
Distinct spot.
RKW
Southern Kingfish (Whiting) Menticirrhus americanus
RKW
Extended 1st dorsal filament
Northern Kingfish Menticirrhus saxatilis
Dusky 1st dorsal-fin tip
SEAMAPSA:RPW
Black caudal fin tip
Gulf Kingfish Menticirrhus littoralis
SEAMAPSA:RPW
Southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma
RKW
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix
RKW
Inshore Lizardfish Synodus foetens RKW
RKW
Ladyfish Elops saurus
Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinus
RKW
Lookdown Selene vomer
RKW
Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber
Juvenile
RKW
Juvenile spadefish are commonly found in SC estuaries. Adults, which look identical to the specimen shown above, are common inhabitants of offshore reefs.
Cobia Rachycentron canadum
Adult
D. Hammond
Juvenile
RKW
D. Hammond
Adult cobia are considered a coastal migratory species and are commonly encountered in near shore and offshore waters. Juveniles may occasionally be caught inshore.
Other Inshore Fishes
Striped Burrfish Chilomycterus schoepfi
E. Vernon
Northern Puffer Sphoeroides maculatus
E. Vernon
Northern Searobin Prionotus carolinus
RKW
Batfish (sp. Unknown) Ogcocephalus sp.
RKW
“Baitfish” or fish commonly caught in cast nets or traps.
Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus
RKW
Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus
RKW
Striped killifish Fundulus majalis
RKW
Mummichog (Mudminnow) Fundulus heteroclitus
RKW
Bay Anchovy Anchoa mitchilli Dorsal fin originates over origin of anal fin.
RKW
Atlantic Bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus
Black spot on caudal peduncle.
RKW
Offshore Fishes
Grouper
Black Grouper (Carberita) Mycteroperca bonaci Dull red dorsal coloration.
Distinct orange spots.
RKW
Gag Grouper (Grey, Black Grouper) Mycteroperca microlepis
Mottled brown body.
Large Specimens (40+inches) typically have black bellies.
USCG
Yellowfin Grouper (Fireback) Mycteroperca venenosa
Distinct Coloration.
RKW
Yellowedge Grouper Epinephelus flavolimbatus Tip of dorsal and pectoral fins bright yellow.
Species is typically caught in deepwater (300+ ft).
Long filaments on tail and anal fin.
RKW
Scamp (Broomtail) Tip of dorsal and pectoral fins Mycteroperca phenax bright yellow.
Even
Yellow
Jagged
Deeper Body USCG Tail and anal fin lack long filaments.
Yellowmouth Grouper Mycteroperca interstitialis
Snowy Grouper Epinephelus niveatus Small specimens have a black “saddle” on caudal peduncle.
11 Dorsal Spines.
Usually, small species have white spots.
Angle of jaw is comparatively less sloped. USCG
Misty Grouper Epinephelus mystacinus Black “saddle” on caudal peduncle.
Verticle black bands.
D. Player
Warsaw Grouper Epinephelus nigritus Broad Maxilla. 10 Dorsal Spines.
RKW
With mouth closed jaw is at a steep angle and extends to posterior part of eye but not beyond.RKW
Goliath Grouper (Jewfish) Juvenile Epinephelus itajara
RKW
Updated 8/16/05
Membrane between dorsal spines even with the tips of the spines.
Red Grouper Epinephelus morio Dull red body coloration occasionally with white blotches
RKW
Nassau Grouper Epinephelus striatus Dark stripe through eye.
Black saddle on caudal peduncle.
RKW
Speckled Hind (Kitty Mitchell, Strawberry) Epinephelus drummondhayi Most common color pattern is a dark purple with white specks.
RKW
RKW
Coney (Red Phase) Epinephelus fulvus
RKW
Coney
Distinct spots on caudal peduncle.
RKW
Red Hind Epinephelus guttatus Black tipped fins.
Does not have 2 black spots on caudal peduncle like the Coney
RKW
Graysby Epinephelus cruentatus Rounded Tail.
RKW
Rock Hind (Strawberry Grouper) Epinephelus adscensionis
16”
RKW
Snapper
Red Snapper (AM Red, Genuine) Lutjanus campechanus
10 Dorsal spines Juveniles (8 - 10 in.) may have a diffuse black spot.
Red Iris
Angulate Anal Fin. RKW
Lane Snapper (Candy Snapper) Lutjanis synagris
Diffuse black spot, more prominent in smaller specimens.
Horizontal Yellow stripes.
Rounded Anal Fin.
RKW
Vermilion Snapper (B-liner) Rhomboplites aurorubens 11-12 Dorsal Spines
RKW
Queen Snapper Etelis oculatus
USCG
RKW
Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus chrysurus
Deeper forked tail. Broad yellow stripe.
Deeply forked yellow tail.
RKW
Snapper Comparison Red Snapper
Silk Snapper ( Yelloweye) Lutjanus vivanus
Yellow Iris.
Blackfin Snapper (Hambone) Lutjanus buccanella
Rounded Anal Fin. USCG
Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis Diffuse Black Spot.
Fork tail Blue line under eye. Angulate Anal Fin. RKW
Anchor- shaped tooth patch on roof of mouth.
Gray Snapper (Mangrove Snapper) Lutjanus griseus
Short Pectoral Fin.
Slightly angulate anal fin. RKW
Cubera Snapper Lutjanus cyanopterus Chevron - shaped tooth patch on roof of mouth.
Large Canine Teeth.
Long Pectoral Fin.
Rounded Anal Fin.
RKW
Dog Snapper Lutjanus jocu Anchor- shaped tooth patch on roof of mouth.
White triangular splotch under eye. USCG
RKW
Porgy
Red Porgy (Silver Snapper, Pinky, Pink Snapper) Pagrus pagrus 2nd nostril oval. Light red body color.
RKW
Whitebone Porgy (Chocolate Porgy) Calamus leucosteus 2nd nostril slit - like.
Small black spots on membrane between spines.
Lacks red body coloration. RKW
Knobbed Porgy (Jolthead) Calamus nodosus 2nd nostril slit - like. Very steep head profile.
Yellow Spots.
RKW
Littlehead Porgy Calamus proridens
Hump on head.
Blue lines.
RKW
Jolthead Porgy Calamus bajonado
Note: Specimen shown is 22.5”.
RKW
Jolthead Porgy (Anterior)
Distinct blue line under eye.
RKW
Orange on inside corner of mouth.
Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus
Incisor - like teeth.
Vertical black bars. RKW
Spottail Pinfish (Ringtail) Diplodus holbrooki
Large spot on caudal peduncle.
RKW
Seabass
Black Sea Bass (Blackfish) Centropristis striata
RKW
Black saddle below dorsal spines.
Rock Sea Bass Centropristis philadephica
Filaments on dorsal spines.
RKW
Bank Sea Bass Centropristis ocyurus No filaments on dorsal spines.
Dark bars with blothes below.
RKW
Grunts
White Grunt Haemulon plumieri Blue stripes.
RKW
All species of Western Atlantic grunts have red on inside of the mouth.
Tomtate Haemulon aurolineatum Red on inside of mouth. Spot on base of tail.
Red mouth.
Yellow stripe from eye to tail.
RKW
Bluestriped Grunt Haemulon sciurus
RKW
When compared to the white grunt, the bluestriped grunt has a more golden appearance.
RKW
Cottonwick Haemulon melanurum
Black band unique to this species.
Red on inside of mouth.
Yellow stripes. RKW
Margate Haemulon album
Red on inside of mouth. RedThe on inside Margate of is the largest of the Western Atlantic grunts. mouth.
RKW
Scup Stenotomus chrysops Indentation above eye.
Blue line under dorsal fin.
10”
RKW RKW
Pigfish Orthopristis chrysoptera
Inside corner of mouth is red.
Small orange spots.
RKW
Jacks
Banded Rudderfish
Lesser Amberjack
Greater Amberjack RKW
Banded Rudderfish (Amberine) Seriola zonata
Greater Amberjack Seriola dumerili
More Streamlined.
Flat Boot Deeper Body.
Smaller Eye.
RKW
Juvenile Greater Amberjack Steep Head Profile.
“Boot” on maxilla. RKW
Juvenile Greater Amberjack Steeper Head Profile.
Boot
Lesser Amberjack Seriola fasciata
Larger Eye.
Flat RKW
NOTE: Lesser Amberjack are typically caught in deeper water than the other jacks. Fishing vessels having snowy grouper or tilefish will often have lesser amberjacks not banded rudderfish.
Lesser Amberjack Seriola fasciata Large Eye
Jaw does not extend to midpoint of the eye, and no “boot”.
Banded Rudderfish (Amberine) Seriola zonata
Jaw extends almost to the posterior part of the eye.
Eye is much smaller than lesser amberjack.
Larger Eye
Jaw extends past midpoint of eye.
RKW
The “Boot” The posterior part of the maxilla is much more broad on a greater amberjack. Banded Rudderfish
There is a very slight incline of the maxilla.
Almaco Jack
Greater Amberjack
Notice the steep incline of the maxilla (the boot). The maxilla is comparatively broader.
Greater Amberjack
Black Jack Caranx lugubris Steep head profile.
D. Player
Yellow Jack Caranx bartholomaei
Long pectoral fin.
Scutes on caudal peduncle.
Yellow underside. D. Player
Almaco Jack Seriola rivoliana Body comparatively deeper than rudder, lesser, and greater.
High dorsal fin.
“Boot” RKW
African Pompano Alectis ciliaris Filaments on dorsal and anal fin.
RKW
Crevalle Jack Caranx hippos Scutes on caudal peduncle. Scutes on caudal peduncle.
Distinct black spot on opercle.
Rainbow Runner Elagatis bipinnulata
Blue & Yellow stripes.
Finlets on caudal peduncle.
RKW
Blue Runner Caranx crysos Long Pectoral Fin.
Scutes on caudal peduncle. RKW
Cottonmouth Jack Uraspis secunda
D. Player
Triggerfish Filefish
Gray Triggerfish (Leatherjacket) Balistes capriscus Stout 1st dorsal spine.
Distinct body coloration. USCG
Queen Triggerfish Balistes vetula
RKW RKW
Ocean Triggerfish Canthidermis sufflamen
D. Player
Unicorn Filefish Aluterus monoceros
RKW
Wrasses
Hogfish (Hog Snapper) Lachnolaimus maximus Filaments Protruding snout with large canine teeth.
Black Spot
Female
Male
RKW
Spotfin Hogfish Bodianus pulchellus Black spot on pectoral fin.
RKW
Painted Wrasse Halichoeres caudalis
RKW
Puddingwife Halichoeres radiatus
RKW
Tautog Tautoga onitis
RKW
Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus
Gradual dip in lateral line.
Steep dip in lateral line.
DBS
King Mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla Atlantic Bonito Sarda sarda Stripes on dorsal surface.
RKW
Tuna
Little Tunny (Bonita, False Albacore) Euthynnus alletteratus Chain Pattern
Spots
RKW
Skipjack Tuna Katsuwonus pelamis
Stripes RKW
Albacore Thunnus alalunga
Long Pectoral fin. USCG
Blackfin Tuna Thunnus atlanticus Pec. Fin does not extend past dorsal and anal fins.
No yellow. Pec. Fin extends past dorsal and anal fins.
Yellow finlets.
RKW
Yellowfin Tuna Thunnus albacares Juvenile Bluefin Tuna Thunnus thynnus
Brackett
Other Offshore Fishes
Pinfish (Sailors Choice) Lagodon rhomboides
Distinct spot.
RKW RKW
Sand Perch Vertical black bar. Diplectrum formosum
Alternate blue and yellow lines.
Spot on caudal peduncle.
RKW RKW
Adipose flap
Tilefish (Golden Tile) Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps Yellow spots.
Lacks adipose flap.
Distinct blue line under eye. RKW
Blueline Tilefish (Grey Tile) Caulolatilus microps
Goldface Tilefish Caulolatilus chrysops
Body more elongate. Yellow Iris
RKW
D. Player
Sand Tilefish (Slippery Dick) Malacanthus plumieri
G. Steele
Bearded Brotula Brotula barbata
RKW
Southern Hake Urophycis floridana
Spots behind eye distinguish this from similar species.
RKW
Scorpionfish (Sp. unknown) Scorpaena sp.?
RKW
Blackbelly Rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus
RKW
Spinycheek Scorpionfish Neomerinthe hemingwayi
RKW
Bermuda Chub Kyphosus sectatrix
RKW
Blue Tang Acanthurus coeruleus Retractable spine
RKW
Longtail Bass Hemanthias leptus
RKW
Yellowish tinge on dorsal fin.
Creole Fish Paranthias furcifer
Long filaments. RKW
Smaller Eye
Silky Appearance.
RKW
Spanish Flag Gonioplectrus hispanus Yellow stripes
Red blotch RKW
Soldierfish (Sp. Unknown)
Squirrelfish Holocentrus adscensionis
Large Eye.
Black tipped pelvic and anal fins.
Bigeye (Toro) Priacanthus arenatus
Cubbyu Equetus umbrosus
RKW
Lionfish Spines are extremely poisonous.
RKW
Mutton Hamlet Epinephelus afer Large eye very close to forehead.
RKW
Sharks
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Small Coastal) Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Distinct white spots sporadic over body.
Distinct white spots.
Dorsal fin originates behind pec fins.
2nd dorsal is black tipped.
No interdorsal ridge.
Bonnethead (Small Coastal) Sphyrna tiburo
Scalloped Hammerhead (Large coastal) Sphyrna lewini Indentation on central part of head
Lacks interdorsal ridge
Sandbar Shark (Large Coastal) Carcharhinus plumbeus
Interdorsal Ridge Large dorsal fin originating over the midpoint of the pec fins.
Unlike the silky, short rear tip of 2nd dorsal fin.
Blacknose Shark (Small Coastal) Carcharhinus acronotus
Dorsal originates behind pectoral fins. 2nd dorsal and anal fin have no markings.
Lacks interdorsal ridge.
Dusky blotch at tip of snout more prominent in juveniles.
Blacktip Shark (Large Coastal) Carcharhinus limbatus Black tip on dorsal. No interdorsal ridge.
2nd dorsal is black tipped.
Anal fin is white.
Pectoral fin is black tipped.
Finetooth Shark (Small Coastal) Carcharhinus isodon No interdorsal ridge.
All fins are unmarked.
2nd dorsal and anal fin have no coloration.
Tiger Shark (Large Coastal) Galeocerdo cuvieri
Interdorsal Ridge
Distinct black stripes.
Sand Tiger (Large Coastal) Odontaspis taurus View shows underside of head.
Spinner Shark (Large Coastal) Carcharhinus brevipinna
No interdorsal ridge.
2nd dorsal and anal fin black tipped.
Dorsal fin is black tipped.
Dusky Shark (Large Coastal) Carcharhinus obscurus
Interdorsal Ridge.
Dusky (Carcass)
Silky Shark (Large Coastal) Carcharhinus falciformis
“Silky” texture.
Long posterior tip on both 2nd dorsal and anal fin. Anal fin is black tipped.
Interdorsal ridge.