Fish Identification

Fish from the Deep

fishidentification — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:20:03 +0000

Captain Scott Goodwin went on a recent trip to the Bahams and caught theses fish wile deep dropping. We are trying to find out what they are, please check back.

looking for fish ID

They were both caught around 1,500 feet of water on electric reels.

http://www.offshoreacademy.com/

Tarpon fishing, Banana River

fishidentification — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:05:49 +0000

Fishing for Tarpon in the Banana River continues to produce fish of all sizes. If you fish the beach side the fish average a lot bigger. If you’re fishing the local canals and flats the fish have been 3-16 pounds with a few big ones to get you blood pressure up. Many guides are throwing live pogies or mullet to them. It’s time to call your fishing buddy, friend or guide to go hunt up some Banana River tarpon.

Aaron with a decent taron,

Pistol shrimp

fishidentification — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:54:18 +0000

Pistol shrimp also known as snapping shrimp have a asymmetrical claw capable of stunning their prey or warding off attackers. The family is very diverse and pistol shrimp are found worldwide. This pistol shrimp was found in a small piece of drift submerged in the Banana River, Florida. In Florida many red and black drum feast on snapping shrimp roaming the flats.

Snapping shrimp

The shrimp snaps a specialized claw shut to create a cavitation bubble that generates acoustic pressure. The pressure is strong enough to kill small fish and shatter glass!

Filefish

fishidentification — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:31:31 +0000

If you spend any time collecting Sargassum weed from the Atalntic Ocean you will have surely captured a Planehead filefish. They are the most abundant species found living in Sargassum rafts riding the Gulf Stream. The planehead filefishes colors and shape blend seamlessly with the seaweed. The provide a common food source for Dorado, small Jacks, juvenile wahoo, Sargassum fish and many other predators hunting weedlines.

Sargassum filefish

Pacific Barracuda

fishidentification — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:15:21 +0000

Pacific barracuda, Sphyraena argentea (Girard, 1854), aka Southern California barracuda and silver barracuda. They can be distinguished from Mexican barracuda, Sphyraena ensis, by its silvery sides and a general lack of bars or spots. Pacific barracudas are slender, predatory fish with fang-like teeth that cover a large mouth and a protruding lower jaw.

Pacific Barracuda from southern California

Leafy sea dragon

fishidentification — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:51:44 +0000

This is one of our favorite ornamental sea creatures. Leafy Sea Dragons are from Australia and are related to sea horses and pipefish. The live on a diet of crustaceans and small fish.

Black sea bass, juvenile

fishidentification — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:39:39 +0000

The giant Black sea bass is native to the Pacific Ocean, they are known to reach weights over 500 pounds. Giant sea bass were once common in Southern California waters because of overfishing and the fact they reproduce slowly Black sea bass were almost wiped out.

On a recent trip to San Diego “Day at the Docks” I shot this picture of Juvenile black sea bass being raised by Hubb Sea World Research Institute.

Man of War fish

fishidentification — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:29:21 +0000

Man-of-war Fish (Nomeus gronovii)

The Man-of-War Fish range in warm tropical waters in various parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.The Man-of-War Fish gets its name from the fact that it often lives among the deadly stinging tentacles of the Portuguese man-of-war.

There is no doubt the Man-of-War Fish gets his name from living among the stinging tentacles of the Portuguese Man of War…with plenty of protection and probaly helps the man-of-war as well by enticing other fish to swim among the tentacles.

Brittle starfish

fishidentification — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:11:38 +0000

In many areas of the Banana and Indian River in Florida Brittle starfish can be found. Most of the time we find them just sifting soft sand adjacent to spoil islands.

Manatee in Brevard County, Florida

fishidentification — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:01:07 +0000

Manatee are a common site around Brevard County. Tourist come from around the world to take ECO tours sharing a few peaceful moments with them. Often when the water cools many canals and springs fill up with large groups of sea cows looking to stay warm.

These Manatee gave birth to their baby in a Banana River canal in front of some awed on lookers.