Gulf Species Identification
Detailed identification guides for 86 Gulf of Mexico species. Each guide includes scientific illustrations, key features, habitat notes, and on-the-water ID tips.
African Pompano
Alectis ciliaris
Pompano & jack family
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Jack family
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Atlantic Spadefish
Chaetodipterus faber
Banded Rudderfish
Seriola zonata
Jack family
Barracuda (Great)
Sphyraena barracuda
Barracuda
Black Drum (Pogonias cromis)
Internal differences
Black Drum (Puppy Drum)
Pogonias cromis
Black Grouper
Mycteroperca bonaci
Grouper (reef)
Black Seabass
Centropristis striata
Blackfin Tuna
Thunnus atlanticus
Tuna & tuna-like
Blackfin Tuna (School)
Thunnus atlanticus
Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans
Billfish
Blue Runner
Caranx crysos
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Inshore / reef species
Bonito (Little Tunny)
Euthynnus alletteratus
Tuna & tuna-like
Cero Mackerel
Scomberomorus regalis
COBIA
Rachycentron canadum
Cobia (Juvenile)
Rachycentron canadum
Crevalle Jack
Caranx hippos
Jack family
Dolphin (Schoolie)
Coryphaena hippurus
Florida Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
Pompano & jack family
Flounder (Southern)
Paralichthys lethostigma
Flatfish (flounder)
Gafftopsail Catfish
Bagre marinus
Saltwater catfish
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis
Grouper (reef)
Gag Grouper (Juvenile)
Mycteroperca microlepis
Golden Tilefish (Juvenile)
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Gray Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Gray Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus
GREATER AMBERJACK
Seriola dumerili
Greater Amberjack (Juvenile)
Seriola dumerili
Horse-eye Jack
Caranx latus
Jack Crevalle (Juvenile)
Caranx hippos
KING MACKEREL
Scomberomorus cavalla
King Mackerel (Snake)
Scomberomorus cavalla
Ladyfish
Elops saurus
Inshore / reef species
Lane Snapper
Lutjanus synagris
Snapper (reef)
Lane Snapper (Juvenile)
Lutjanus synagris
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin)
Coryphaena hippurus
Offshore pelagic
Mangrove Snapper (Gray Snapper)
Lutjanus griseus
Snapper (reef)
Mangrove Snapper (Juvenile)
Lutjanus griseus
Mutton Snapper
Lutjanus analis
Snapper (reef)
Permit
Trachinotus falcatus
Pompano & jack family
Pinfish
Lagodon rhomboides
Red Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Drum family (croakers)
Red Drum (Puppy Drum)
Sciaenops ocellatus
Red Grouper
Epinephelus morio
Grouper (reef)
Red Hind
Epinephelus guttatus
Red Porgy
Pagrus pagrus
Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Red Snapper (Juvenile)
Lutjanus campechanus
Rock Hind
Epinephelus adscensionis
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
Billfish
Sand Seatrout (White Trout)
Cynoscion arenarius
Drum family (croakers)
Sandbar Shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
Scamp Grouper
Mycteroperca phenax
Grouper (reef)
Shark (Blacktip)
Carcharhinus limbatus
Coastal shark
Shark (Bull)
Carcharhinus leucas
Coastal shark
Shark (Spinner)
Carcharhinus brevipinna
Coastal shark
Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
Inshore / reef species
Sheepshead (Dock Pilings)
Archosargus probatocephalus
Silver Seatrout
Cynoscion nothus
Snowy Grouper
Hyporthodus niveatus
Deepwater reef fish
Southern Flounder (Camouflaged)
Paralichthys lethostigma
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel (School)
Scomberomorus maculatus
Speckled Trout (Gator)
Cynoscion nebulosus
Spottail Pinfish
Diplodus holbrookii
SPOTTED SEATROUT
Cynoscion nebulosus
Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Billfish
Tilefish (Golden)
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Deepwater reef fish
Tomtate
Haemulon aurolineatum
Triggerfish (Gray)
Balistes capriscus
Inshore / reef species
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis
Inshore / reef species
Tripletail (Juvenile)
Lobotes surinamensis
Vermilion Snapper (Beeliner)
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Snapper (reef)
Vermilion Snapper (Juvenile)
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri
Offshore pelagic
Warsaw Grouper
Hyporthodus nigritus
Deepwater reef fish
White Grunt
Haemulon plumierii
White Marlin
Kajikia albida
Billfish
White Trout (School)
Cynoscion arenarius
Yellowedge Grouper
Hyporthodus flavolimbatus
Deepwater reef fish
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Tuna & tuna-like
Yellowfin Tuna (Football)
Thunnus albacares
Yellowtail Snapper
Ocyurus chrysurus
Snapper (reef)
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