If you are going to fish the Gulf of Mexico, you have to know what type you have caught. Almost every fish in the gulf is regulated by size, season, and number you can keep. You can almost count on being stopped by the Florida Wildlife Commission or US Coast Guard. I am stopped, boarded and searched several times each year, from the boat ramp, to the Destin Bridge and as far out as 15 miles from the coast. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. There are numerous sources of information available to help you to identify your fish. If in doubt, throw it back, it is not worth the fine. I would heartily recommend you invest in a copy of Vic Dunaway's "Sport Fish of the Gulf of Mexico". It is readily available for around $15.00 at Walmart and all the tackle stores. Good take-along book when you go fishing. Well worth it. Also, the Florida Wildlife Commission publishes a free fish identification book, "Florida's Fisheries: Yesterday and Today", that is very handy to take along with you. To get your free copy of the Florida Wildlife Commission's saltwater fish identification book "Florida's Fisheries: Yesterday and Today", click the following link: For an online version of "Fishing Lines" click on the following link: They are also available at the Okaloosa County Tax Collectors Offices. Some other online links that are useful for fish identification are: FLORIDA FISH & WILDLIFE FISH IDENTIFICATION STRANGE SALTWATER FISH IDENTIFICATION GULF FISH FISH BASE Following is a brief description and pictures of some of the common salt water fish you may catch in the Destin area waters. I have used the name that it is most commonly referred to in this area as the primary reference name. The other names that it may be called are cross referenced and the official name is marked with an asterik. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ AJ See Amberjack, Greater __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ALBACORE TUNA See Tuna, albacore __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ALBACORE, FALSE See Tunny, Little __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ALBERT See Tunny, Little __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ALBINO JACK See Rudderfish, Banded __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ALEWIFE See Menhaden, Gulf The actual fish Alewife, a herring, is found in the north Atlantic and is not present in the Gulf of Mexico. However, in the Destin area, the Gulf menhaden is sometimes mistakenly referred to as an Alewife or LY __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ALMACO JACK See Jack, Almaco __________________________________________________________________________________________________ AMBERJACK, GREATER Scientific name: Seriola dumerili Other names: AJ, Reef Donkey Family: Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS . __________________________________________________________________________________________________ AMBERJACK, LESSER Scientific name: Seriola fasciata Other names: Family: Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ AMBERLINE See Banded Rudderfish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ANCHOA See Glass Minnow __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ANGELFISH See Spadefish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ARCTIC BONITO See Tuna, Skipjack __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ATLANTIC BUMPER Scientific name: Chloroscombrus chrysurus Other names: Crazy fish, Family Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ATLANTIC CUTLASS FISH* See Ribbon Fish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE SHARK See Shark, Atlantic Sharpnose __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ATLANTIC STINGRAY See Stingray __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ATLANTIC THREADFIN HERRING See Threadfin Herring __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BALLYHOO Scientific name: Hemiramphus brasiliensis Other names: Hoo, Halfbeak Family Exocoetidae, FLYING FISHES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BANANA FISH See Ladyfish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BANDED RUDDERFISH Scientific name: Seriola zonata Other names: Albino Jack, Rock Salmon Family Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BANK SEA BASS Scientific name: Centropristis ocyurus Other Names: Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BAR DRUM See Drum, Black __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BAR JACK Scientific name: Caranx ruber Other names: Both the Yellow jack and Almaco jack are mistakenly called Bar jacks in this area. The Bar Jack is not normally found in the waters around Destin. It is common in the Bahamas, South Florida, and around the Caribbean. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BARRACUDA, GREAT Scientific name: Sphyraena barracuda Other Names: Family Sphyraenidae, BARRACUDAS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BASS, BLACK SEA Scientific name: Centropristis striata Other Names: Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BAY ANCHOVY * See Glass Minnows __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BEELINER See Snapper, Mingo __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BIG EYE JACK See Jack, Horse-eye __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BIG EYE SCAD Selar crumenophthalmus Other names: Gog, Goggle eyes Family Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BIG JACK See Jack Crevalle __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BIGMOUTH FRY See Glass Minnow __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACK DRUM Pogonias cromis Other Names: Channel Bass Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACK BASS See Seabass, Black __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACK JACK See Jack, Almaco __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACK GROUPER See both Grouper, Gag and Grouper, Warsaw __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACK MULLET See Mullet, Striped __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACK SALMON See Cobia __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACK SNAPPER See Snapper, Black __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACKFIN TUNA See Tuna, Black Fin __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLACKTIP SHARK See Shark, Blacktip __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLUE See Bluefish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLUE MARLIN See Marlin, Blue __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLUEFISH Pomatomus saltatrix Other names: Blue, Chopper Family Pomatomidae, BLUEFISHES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLUE BONITO See Little Tunny __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLUERUNNER See Hardtail __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BOBO See Little Tunny __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BONEFISH Albula vulpes Not found in the Destin area __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BONITO, ATLANTIC Sarda sarda Other names: Boston mackerel, Northern Bonito Rare in the Destin area __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BONITO The Little Tunny is most often referred to as a "Bonito"in the Destin area. (See Little Tunny) ___________________________________________________________________________ BONITO, ARCTIC See Tuna, Skipjack ___________________________________________________________________________ BONITO, OCEANIC See Tuna, Skipjack __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BONNET SHARK See Shark, Bonnethead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BONNETHEAD SHARK See Shark, Bonnethead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BOSTON MACKEREL See Bonito, Atlantic __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BROWN SHARK See Shark, Sandbar and Shark, Lemon __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BULL SHARK See Shark, Bull __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BULL CROAKER See Croaker, Atlantic __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BULL MINNOWS Fundulus grandis Other Names: Cocahoe minnow, Gulf Killifish, Killifish, Mud Minnows __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BULL RED See Red Fish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BUNKER See Menhaden, Gulf __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BUOY TENDER See Tripletail __________________________________________________________________________________________________ BUOYFISH See Tripletail __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDY SNAPPER See Snapper, Lane __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDY STRIPER See Snapper, Lane __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CARIBBEAN REEF SHARK See Shark, Reef __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CATFISH, GAFFTOPSAIL Bagre marinus Other Names: Gafftop, Sail Cat Family Ariidae, SEA CATFISHES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CATFISH, HARDHEAD Arius felis Other Names: Hardhead Family Ariidae, SEA CATFISHES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CAVALLA See Mackerel, King __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CHANNEL BASS See Drum, Black or Drum, Red __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CHICKEN DOLPHIN Small dolphin (See Dolphin) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CHICKEN SNAPPER See Snapper, Red or Snapper, Silk __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CHOBIE See Tripletail __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CHOCOLATE GROUPER See Grouper, Snowy __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CHOPPER See Bluefish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CIGAR MINNOW Decapterus punctatus Other names: Round Scad* Family Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ COBIA Rachycentron canadum Other Names: Black Salmon, Crab cruncher, crab eater, eel sucker Family Rachycentridae, COBIA __________________________________________________________________________________________________ COCAHOE MINNOW See Bull Minnow _________________________________________________________________________________________ CONGO See Eel, American __________________________________________________________________________________________________ COWS See Dolphin __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CRAB CRUNCHER See Cobia __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CRAB-EATER See Cobia __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CRAZY FISH See Atlantic Bumper __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CREVALLA See Jack Crevalle __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CROAKER, ATLANTIC Micropogonias undulatus Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS Other names: Bull Croaker, Croaker, Golden Croaker __________________________________________________________________________________________________ DOGFISH See Toadfish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ DOLPHIN Coryphaena hippurus Other names: Cows (large female), Chicken Dolphin (small), Dorado, Feather dolphin (small), Mahi mahi, Peanut Dolphin (small) Family Coryphaenidae, DOLPHINS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ DONKEYS See Sheepshead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ DOORMAT See Large flounder __________________________________________________________________________________________________ DORADO See Dolphin __________________________________________________________________________________________________ DRUM, BLACK See Black Drum __________________________________________________________________________________________________ DRUM, RED See REDFISH __________________________________________________________________________________________________ DUSKY SHARK See Shark, Dusky __________________________________________________________________________________________________ EEL, AMERICAN Anguilla rostrata Other names: Congo __________________________________________________________________________________________________ EEL SUCKER See Cobia __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FALSE ALBACORE See Little Tunny __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FATBACK See Menhaden, Atlantic __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FEATHER DOLPHIN Small dolphin __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FLANNEL MOUTH GRUNT See Tomtate __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FLATFISH any Flounder (See Flounder) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FLORIDA POMPANO See Pompano, Florida __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FLOUNDER, GULF Paralichthys albigutta Other names: Doormat, Flatfish Family Bothidae, LEFTEYE FLOUNDERS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FLOUNDER, SOUTHERN Paralichthys lethostigma __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FLOUNDER, SUMMER Paralichthys dentatus Other names: Fluke __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FLUKE See Flounder, Summer __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOOTBALLS Blackfin Tuna, Bonito, Little Tunny and Mingo Snapper are referred to as Footballs __________________________________________________________________________________________________ FRY See Glass Minnow __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GAFFTOP See Catfish, Gafftopsail __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH See Catfish, Gafftopsail __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GAG GROUPER See Grouper, Gag __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GIANT SEABASS the Goliath Grouper and Warsaw Grouper are called the Giant Seabass __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GLASS MINNOWS Several varieties of fish are referred to as Glass Minnows. Anchoa mitchilli - Bay Anchovy Anchoa hepsetus - Striped Anchovy Other names: Anchoa, Bay Anchovies*, Fry, Bay Anchovy Bigmouth Fry,Striped Anchovies Family Engraulidae, ANCHOVIES Striped Anchovy __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GOG See Bigeye Scad __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GOGGLE EYES See Bigeye Scad __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GOLDEN CROAKER See Croaker, Atlantic __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GRASS PORGY See Porgy, Grass __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GRAY GROUPER See Grouper, Gag __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GRAY MULLET See Mullet, Striped __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GRAY TRIGGERFISH See Triggerfish, Gray __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GREAT BARRACUDA See Barracuda, Great __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GREATER AMBERJACK See Amberjack, Greater __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GREENBACK See Scaled Sardine, Threadfin Herring __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GREENIE See Threadfin Herring __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GROUND MULLET See Whiting, any __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GROUPER, BLACK Mycteroperca bonaci Other names: Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GROUPER, GAG Mycteroperca microlepis Other names: Gray Grouper Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GROUPER, GOLIATH Epinephelus itajara Other names: Jewfish Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GROUPER, RED Epinephelus morio Other Names: Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GROUPER, SCAMP Mycteroperca phenax Other Names: Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER ___________________________________________________________________________ GROUPER, SNOWY Epinephelus niveatus Other names: Chocolate Grouper (adult), ___________________________________________________________________________ GROUPER, WARSAW Epinephelus nigritus Other names: Giant Seabass Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GRUNT, WHITE Haemulon plumieri Family Haemulidae, GRUNT ___________________________________________________________________________ GRUNT The Pigfish is also called a Grunt ___________________________________________________________________________ GULF FLOUNDER See Flounder, Gulf ___________________________________________________________________________ GULF STURGEON See Sturgeon, Gulf __________________________________________________________________________________________________ GULF WHITING See Whiting, Gulf ___________________________________________________________________________ HACKLEHEAD See Sea Robin ___________________________________________________________________________ HALFBEAK See Ballyhoo ___________________________________________________________________________ HAMMERHEAD See Shark, Hammerhead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ HARDHEAD CATFISH See Catfish, Hardhead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ HARDTAIL Caranx crysos Other names: Blue Runner*, Hardtail Jack, Speedo (small) Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ HAIRYBACK See Threadfin Herring __________________________________________________________________________________________________ HOO See Ballyhoo __________________________________________________________________________________________________ HORSEHEAD See Lookdown __________________________________________________________________________________________________ HORSE MACKEREL See Tuna, Bluefin __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JACK, ALMACO Seriola rivoliana Other names: Rock Salmon, Almaco, Bar Jack, Black Jack, Rock Salmon, Spanish Jack Family Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JACK, BAR __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JACK, BLUNTNOSE Hemicaranx amblyrhynchus Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JACK CREVALLE Caranx hippos Other names: Crevalla, Jack,Yellowtail jack Family Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JACK, HORSE-EYE Caranx latus Other names: Big Eye Jack __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JACK, LEATHER Oligoplites saurus Other names: Leatherjacket, Skipjack __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JACK, RAINBOW See Rainbow Runner __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JACK, YELLOW Caranx bartholomaei Other names: Bar jack __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JEWFISH See Grouper, Goliath __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ JOLTHEAD PORGY See Porgy, Jolthead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ KILLIFISH See Bull Minnow __________________________________________________________________________________________________ KING Fish See Whiting, Gulf or Mackerel, King __________________________________________________________________________________________________ KING Mackerel See Mackerel, King __________________________________________________________________________________________________ KNOBBED PORGY See Porgy, Knobbed __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LADYFISH Elops saurus Other names: Skipjack Family Elopidae, TARPONS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LEOPARD SHARK See Shark, Tiger __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LEATHER JACK See Jack, Leather __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LEATHER JACKET __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LEMONFISH See Cobia __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LEMON SHARK See Shark, Lemon __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LESSER AMBERJACK See Amberjack, Lesser __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LING See Cobia __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LITTLEHEAD PORGY See Porgy, Littlehead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LITTLE TUNNY Euthynnus alletteratus OTHER NAMES: Albert, Bobo, Bonita, Bonito Often confused with:Frigate Mackerel __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LIZARDFISH Synodus foetens Other names: Snakefish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LONGFIN TUNA See Tuna, Albacore __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LOOKDOWN Selene vomer Other names: Horsehead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ LY See Menhaden, Gulf __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MACKEREL, BOSTON See Bonito, Atlantic __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MACKEREL, CERO Scomberomorus regalis Other names: Not commonly found north of Tampa __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MACKEREL, CHUB Scomber japonicus Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MACKEREL, FRIGATE Auxis, thazard Other names: Bonito __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MACKEREL, KING Scomberomorus cavalla Other names: Cavalla, Smoker (Large), Snakes (small) Family Scombridae, MACKERELS AND TUNAS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MACKEREL, SPANISH Other names: Family: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MAHI MAHI See Dolphin __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MAHOGANY SNAPPER See Snapper, Mahogany __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MANGROVE SNAPPER See Snapper, Mangrove __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MARLIN, BLUE Makaira nigricans Other names: Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MARLIN, WHITE Tetrapterus albidus Other names: Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MENHADEN, GULF Brevoortia patronus Other names: Bunker, Fatback, Mossbunker, Pogy, Pogies, Moss Bunkers, Peanut Bunkers, Shad, LY, Alewife, Bunker __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MINGO See Snapper, Mingo __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MISTY GROUPER See Grouper, Misty __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MOSSBUNKER See Menhaden, Gulf __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MUDFISH See Toadfish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MUD MINNOWS See Bull Minnows __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MULES See Red Snapper __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MULLET, STRIPED Mugil cephalus Other names: Black Mullet, Gray Mullet Family Mugilidae, MULLET __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MULLET, FANTAIL Mugil gyrans Other names: Family Mugilidae, MULLETS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MULLET, WHITE Mugil curema Other names: Silver Mullet __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MULLET, CHANNEL See Whiting __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MULLET, GROUND See Whiting __________________________________________________________________________________________________ NURSE SHARK See Shark, Nurse __________________________________________________________________________________________________ OCEANIC WHITETIP SHARK See Shark, Whitetip __________________________________________________________________________________________________ OYSTER DOG See Toadfish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ PALOMETA Trachinotus goodei Family Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ PEANUT DOLPHIN small dolphin (See Dolphin) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ PERMIT Trachinotus falcatus Rare in the Destin area, but small ones have been caught here __________________________________________________________________________________________________ PIGFISH Orthopristis chrysoptera Other names: Grunt, Hogfish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ PILCHARD See Scaled Sardine __________________________________________________________________________________________________ PINFISH Lagodon rhomboides Family Sparidae, PORGIES ___________________________________________________________________________ PINFISH, SPOTTAIL Diplodus holbrooki Family Sparidae, PORGIES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ POGY, POGIES See Menhaden, Gulf __________________________________________________________________________________________________ POMPANO, FLORIDA Trachinotus carolinus Other names: Family Carangidae, JACKS AND POMPANOS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ PORGIES ___________________________________________________________________________ JOLTHEAD PORGY Calamus bajonado Family Sparidae, PORGIES Description: generally silvery to brassy, with a bluish cast; front of head brown, with blue line along lower rim of eye; a whitish stripe below eye, and another between eye and mouth; corner of mouth orange JOLTHEAD PORGY PORGY, GRASS Calamus arctifrons Family Sparidae, PORGIES Description: pale tan to silvery; dark olive above; dark bar across nape extends through eye to corner of mouth; dark blotches on body, in about 5 vertical and 4 horizontal series, suggesting interrupted bars and stripes; blotch near front of lateral line most proiminent; dark V at base of caudal fin; lobes of caudal fin with dark bars Size: to 25 centimeters (10 inches) Where found: inshore seagrass beds GRASS PORGY PORGY, KNOBBED Calamus nodosus Family Sparidae, PORGIES Description: body deep; front profile very steep; nape projects strongly in large adults; body generally silvery, with a rosy cast; cheek and snout dark purplish gray, with many bronze spots; large blut spot at axil of pectoral fin Size: to 18 inches Where found: hardbottom, reefs, ledges KNOBBED PORGY PORGY, LITTLEHEAD Calamus proridens Family Sparidae, PORGIES Description: similar to the knobbed porgy, but snout and cheek bluish gray, with many wavy, dark blue lines; areas between lines sometimes brassy; each scale on upper body has a dark bluish line through the center; these lines unite to form a narrow line along each scale row Size: to 18 Inches LITTLEHEAD PORGY PORGY, RED Pagrus pagrus Family Sparidae, PORGIES Other names: White Snapper Description: the only American porgy with a rear nostril that is round (not slit-like); head and body silvery red, with many tiny blue spots Size: to 3 feet Where found: deeper part of continental shelf, but young occur in water as shallow as 60 feet. RED PORGY ___________________________________________________________________________ RAINBOW RUNNER Elagatis bipinnulata Other names: Rainbow jack, Spanish Jack __________________________________________________________________________________________________ RED DRUM See Red Fish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ RED FISH Sciaenops ocellatus Other names: Bull Red, Channel Bass, Spot Bass, Red Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS _________________________________________________________________________________________________ RED GROUPER See Grouper, Red _________________________________________________________________________________________________ REEF DONKEY See Amberjack, Greater _________________________________________________________________________________________________ REDTAIL SCAD Decapterus tabl Other names: Speedo, Speedy __________________________________________________________________________________________________ RED PORGY See Porgy, Red __________________________________________________________________________________________________ REEF SHARK See Shark, Reef __________________________________________________________________________________________________ REMORA Echeneis naucrates & Remora remora Other names: Sharksucker __________________________________________________________________________________________________ RIBBONFISH Trichiurus lepturus Other names: Atlantic Cutlass Fish*, Silver fish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ROCK SALMON The Almaco jack, Bluefish, and Banded Rudderfish are sometimes called a rock salmon __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ROUND SCAD* See Cigar Minnow __________________________________________________________________________________________________ RUBY RED LIPS See Tomtate __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SAIL CAT See Gafftopsail Catfish ___________________________________________________________________________ SAILFISH Istiophorus platypterus Other names: Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sand Seatrout See White Trout __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SAND SHARK See Shark, Sandbar __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SANDBAR SHARK See Shark, Sandbar __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SAND PERCH See Squirrel Fish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SCALED SARDINE Harengula pensacolae Other names: Greenback, Pilchard, White bait __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SCAMP See Grouper, Scamp __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SEA CAT See Catfish, Hardhead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SEA CATFISH See Catfish, Hardhead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SCHOOLMASTER See Snapper, Schoolmaster __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SEA ROBIN Prionotus tribulus Other names: Hacklehead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SEATROUT, WHITE See Trout, White __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SEATROUT, SPOTTED See Trout, Speckled __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHAD Menhaden, Gulf and Yellowtail Mojarra are called SHAD. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHAD, AMERICAN Alosa sapidissima Family Clupeidae, HERRINGS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE Thizoprionodon terraenovae Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, BLACK TIP Carcharhinus limbatus Other names: Family Carcharhinidae, REQUIEM SHARKS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, BULL Carcharhinus leucas Other names: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, DUSKY Carcharhinus obscurus Other names: Sand Shark __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARKS, HAMMERHEAD ___________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, BONNETHEAD Sphyrna tiburo Other names: Bonnet Shark, Shovelnose shark BONNETHEAD SHARK SHARK, GREAT HAMMERHEAD Sphyrna mokarran Other names: SHARK, SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD Sphyrna lewini Other names: Family Sphyrnidae, HAMMERHEAD SHARKS SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD SHARK SHARK, SMALLHEAD HAMMERHEAD Sphyrna tudes Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, LEMON Negaprion brevirostris Other names: Brown shark __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, NURSE Ginglymostoma cirratum Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, REEF Carcharhinus perezi Other names: Carribean Reef Shark Rare in the Destin area __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, SANDBAR Carcharhinus plumbeus Other names: Brown shark, Sand Shark __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, SHORTFIN MAKO Isurus oxyrinchus Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, SILKY Carcharhinus falciformis Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, SPINNER Carcharhinus brevipinna Other names: Confused with: Blacktip Shark __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, THRESHER Alopias vulpinus Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, TIGER Galeocerdo cuvier Other names: Leopard Shark __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, WHITE Carcharodon carcharias Other names: Great White Shark Rare in the Destin area __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHARK, WHITE TIP Carcharhinus longimanus Other names: Oceanic Whitetip Shark* __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHEEPSHEAD Archosargus probatocephalus Other names: Donkeys Family Sparidae, PORGIES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHOVELNOSE SHARK See Shark, Bonnethead __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SILVER KING See Tarpon, Atlantic __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SILVER MULLET See Mullet, White __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SILVER SEATROUT See Trout, Silver __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SILVERFISH See Ribbonfish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SILVERSIDES Menida beryllina ___________________________________________________________________________ SKATE Raja eglanteria and Rajo texana Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SKIPJACK See Ladyfish & Jack, Leather __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SMOKER a large King Mackerel (See Mackerel, King) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAKES a small King Mackerel (See Mackerel, King) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAKEFISH See Lizard Fish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, BLACK Apsilus dentatus Not normally found in the Destin area __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, GRAY See Snapper, Mangrove __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, LANE Lutjanus synagris Other Names: Candy Snapper, Candy Striper, Spot Snapper Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, MAHOGONY Lutjanus mahogoni Other names: Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, MANGROVE Lutjanus griseus Other names: Gray Snapper, often mistakenly called a Black Snapper in this area. Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, MANGO See Snapper, Black __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, MINGO Rhomboplites aurorubens Other names: Vermillion Snapper*, Beeliner, Footballs, Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPER __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, RED Lutjanus campechanus Other names: Chicken Snapper, Mules, Sow Snapper (Large) Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, SCHOOLMASTER Lutjanus apodus Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SILK Lutjanus vivanus Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, VERMILLION See Snapper, Mingo __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNAPPER, YELLOWTAIL Ocyurus chrysurus Other names: Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SNOOK Centropomusimalis Rare in the Destin area. COMMON SNOOK FAT SNOOK SWORDSPINE SNOOK TARPON SNOOK __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SOUTHERN KINGFISH See Whiting, Southern __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SOW SNAPPER See Red Snapper __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPADEFISH Chaetodipterus faber Other Names: American Spadefish, Family Ephippidae, SPADEFISHES __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPANISH JACK See Jack, Alamaco and Rainbow Runner __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPANISH MACKEREL See Mackerel, Spanish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPANISH SARDINE Sardinella aurita Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPECK See Trout, Speckled __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPECKLED TROUT See Trout, Speckled __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPEEDO See Hardtail, Redtail Scad __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPOT BASS See Red Fish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPOT SNAPPER See Lane Snapper __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPOTTED SEATROUT See Trout, Speckled __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPOTTAIL PINFISH See Pinfish, Spottail __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SQUIRREL FISH Diplectrum formosum Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER Other names: Sand Perch* __________________________________________________________________________________________________ STINGRAY Atlantic Stingray: Dasyatis sabina, Southern Stingray: Dasyatis americana Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ STRIPED BASS Morone saxatilis Other names: Striper, Rock Bass __________________________________________________________________________________________________ STURGEON, GULF Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SWORDFISH Xiphias gladius Other names: Family Xiphiidae, SWORDFISH __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TARPON Megalops atlanticus Other names: Silver King Family Elopidae, TARPONS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ THREAD See Threadfin Herring __________________________________________________________________________________________________ THREADFIN HERRING Opisthonema oglinum Other names: Atlantic Threadfin Herring, Greenie, Greenback, Hairyback, Thread, Shiner __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TIGER SHARK See Shark, Tiger __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TOADFISH Opsanus beta Other names: Dogfish, Mudfish, Oyster Dog __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TOMTATE Haemulon aurolineatum Other names: Blood Mouth, Flannelmouth Grunt, Ruby Red Lips, __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TRIGGERFISH Balistes capriscus Other names: Family Balistidae, LEATHERJACKETS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TRIPLETAIL Lobotes surinamensis Other names: Buoy Tender, Buoyfish, Chobie Family Lobotidae, TRIPLETAIL __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TROUT, SILVER Cynoscion nothus Other names: Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TROUT, SPECKLED Cynoscion nebulosus Other names: Spotted seatrout*, Speck, Sea trout Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TROUT, WHITE Cynoscion arenarius Other names: Sand Seatrout*, Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TUNA, ALBACORE Thunnus alalunga Other names: Longfin tuna Rare in the Destin area ___________________________________________________________________________ TUNA, BLACKFIN Thunnus atlanticus Family Scombridae, MACKERELS AND TUNAS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TUNA, BLUEFIN Thunnus thynmus Other names: Horse mackerel __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TUNA, SKIPJACK Katsuwonus pelamis Other names: Oceanic Bonito, Arctic Bonito, Striped Tuna, Watermelons ___________________________________________________________________________ TUNA, STRIPED See Tuna, Skipjack ___________________________________________________________________________ TUNA, YELLOWFIN Thunnus albacares Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ TUNNY, LITTLE See Bonito __________________________________________________________________________________________________ VERMILLION SNAPPER See Snapper, Mingo __________________________________________________________________________________________________ WAHOO Acanthocybium solanderi Other names: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ WARSAW GROUPER See Grouper, Warsaw ___________________________________________________________________________ WATERMELONS See Tuna, Skipjack __________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHITEBAIT See Scaled Sardine, Silversides __________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHITETIP SHARK See Shark, Whitetip __________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHITE SNAPPER See Porgy, Red __________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHITING, GULF Menticirrhus littoralis Other names: Channel Mullet, Ground mullet, Kingfish Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHITING, SOUTHERN Menticirrhus americanus Other names: Southern Kingfish*, King Whiting Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ YELLOWFIN TUNA See Tuna, Yellowfin __________________________________________________________________________________________________ YELLOWTAIL JACK See Jack Crevalle __________________________________________________________________________________________________ YELLOWTAIL MOJARRA Gerres cinereus Other names: Shad __________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
SALTWATER FISH IN THE DESTIN AREA |
Unless otherwise noted, all Illustrations by Diane Rome Peebles Provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Marine Fisheries Management Click on the fish picture for more detailed information on that particular fish |
Unless otherwise noted, all Illustrations by Diane Rome Peebles Provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Marine Fisheries Management |
