WIXLIB

Identification GuideToSouth Carolina Fishes

InshoreFishes

Red Drum(Spottail, redfish, channel bass, puppy drum,)Sciaenops ocellatusMay have multiple spotsalong dorsal surface.RKWBlack DrumPogonias cromisBroad black vertical barsalong body.Barbells on chin.

Spotted Seatrout (Winter trout, speckled trout)Cynoscion nebulosusNumerous distinct blackspots on dorsal surface.Most commonlyencountered in rivers andestuaries.RKWMost commonlyencountered just offshorearound live bottom andartificial reefs.Weakfish (Summer trout, Gray trout)Cynoscion regalisRKWSilver coloration with no spots.LargeeyeSilver SeatroutCynoscion nothusRKW

SpotLeiostomus xanthurusDistinct spot on shoulder.RKWAtlantic Croaker (Hardhead)Micropogonias undulatusSilver Perch (Virginia Perch)Bairdiella chrysouraRKWRKW

SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalusBroad black vertical barsalong body.RKWPinfish (Sailors Choice)Lagodon rhomboidesDistinct spot.RKW

Southern Kingfish (Whiting)Menticirrhus americanusRKWExtended 1st dorsal filamentNorthern KingfishMenticirrhus saxatilisDusky 1st dorsal-fintipSEAMAPSA:RPWBlack caudal fintipGulf KingfishMenticirrhus littoralisSEAMAPSA:RPW

Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigmaNo ocellated spots .RKWSummer flounderParalichthys dentatusFive ocellated spots inthis distinct pattern.B. Floyd

Gulf flounderParalichthys albiguttaB. FloydThree ocellated spots ina triangle pattern.B. Floyd

BluefishPomatomus saltatrixRKWInshore LizardfishSynodus foetensRKWRKWLadyfishElops saurus

Florida PompanoTrachinotus carolinusRKWLookdownSelene vomerRKW

SpadefishChaetodipterus faberJuvenileRKWJuvenile spadefish are commonly found inSC estuaries. Adults, which look verysimilar to the specimen shown above, arecommon inhabitants of offshore reefs.

CobiaRachycentron canadumAdultD. HammondJuvenileRKWD. HammondAdult cobia are considered a coastal migratoryspecies and are commonly encountered in nearshore and offshore waters. Juveniles mayoccasionally be caught inshore.

OtherInshoreFishes

Striped BurrfishChilomycterus schoepfiE. VernonNorthern PufferSphoeroides maculatusE. Vernon

Bighead SearobinPrionotus tribulusRKWBatfish (sp. Unknown)Ogcocephalus sp.RKW

“Baitfish”or fish commonly caught in castnets or traps.

White MulletMugil curemsRKWStriped MulletMugil cephalusCMAtlantic MenhadenBrevoortia tyrannusRKW

Striped killifishFundulus majalisRKWMummichog (Mudminnow)Fundulus heteroclitusRKWFat SleeperDormitator maculatusRKW

Bay AnchovyAnchoa mitchilliDorsal fin originates overorigin of anal fin.RKWAtlantic BumperChloroscombrus chrysurusBlack spot on caudalpeduncle.RKW

LeatherjacketOligoplites saurusDorsal spines can cause serious skin irritation if stuck into skin.

OffshoreFishes

Grouper

Black Grouper (Carberita)Mycteroperca bonaciDull red dorsal coloration.Distinct orange spots.RKWGag Grouper (Grey, Black Grouper)Mycteroperca microlepisMottled brown body.Large Specimens(40 inches) typicallyhave black bellies.USCGYellowfin Grouper (Fireback)Mycteroperca venenosaDistinct Coloration.RKW

Yellowedge GrouperEpinephelus flavolimbatusTip of dorsal and pectoral finsbright yellow.Species is typically caught in deepwater (300 ft).Long filaments ontail and anal fin.RKWScamp (Broomtail)Tip of dorsal and pectoral finsMycteroperca phenaxbright yellow.EvenYellowJaggedDeeperBody USCGTail and anal fin lacklong filaments.Yellowmouth GrouperMycteroperca interstitialis

Snowy GrouperEpinephelus niveatusSmall specimens have ablack “saddle” oncaudal peduncle.11 Dorsal Spines.Usually, small species have white spots.Angle of jaw iscomparativelyless sloped.USCGMisty GrouperEpinephelus mystacinusBlack “saddle” oncaudal peduncle.Verticle black bands.D. Player

Warsaw GrouperEpinephelus nigritusBroad Maxilla.10 Dorsal Spines.RKWWith mouth closed jaw is at a steep angle andextends to posterior part of eye but not beyond.RKWGoliath Grouper (Jewfish)JuvenileEpinephelus itajaraRKWUpdated 8/16/05

Membrane betweendorsal spines evenwith the tips of thespines.Red GrouperEpinephelus morioDull red body colorationoccasionally with whiteblotchesRKWNassau GrouperEpinephelus striatusDark stripe through eye.Black saddle on caudalpeduncle.RKW

Speckled Hind (Kitty Mitchell, Strawberry)Epinephelus drummondhayiMost common color pattern is adark purple with white specks.RKWRKWConey (Red Phase)Epinephelus fulvusRKWConeyDistinct spots on caudal peduncle.RKW

Red HindEpinephelus guttatusBlack tipped fins.Does not have 2 black spots oncaudal peduncle like the ConeyRKWGraysbyEpinephelus cruentatusRounded Tail.RKWRock Hind (Strawberry Grouper)Epinephelus adscensionis16”RKW

Snapper

Red Snapper (AM Red, Genuine)Lutjanus campechanus10 Dorsal spinesJuveniles (8 - 10 in.)may have a diffuseblack spot.Red IrisAngulate Anal Fin.RKWLane Snapper (Candy Snapper)Lutjanis synagrisDiffuse black spot, moreprominent in smallerspecimens.Horizontal Yellow stripes.Rounded Anal Fin.RKW

Vermilion Snapper (B-liner)Rhomboplites aurorubens11-12 Dorsal SpinesRKWQueen SnapperEtelis oculatusUSCGRKWYellowtail SnapperOcyurus chrysurusDeeper forked tail.Broad yellow stripe.Deeply forked yellow tail.RKW

Snapper ComparisonRed SnapperSilk Snapper ( Yelloweye)Lutjanus vivanusYellow Iris.Blackfin Snapper (Hambone)Lutjanus buccanellaRounded Anal Fin.USCGMutton SnapperLutjanus analisDiffuse Black Spot.ForktailBlue lineunder eye.Angulate Anal Fin.RKW

Anchor- shapedtooth patch on roofof mouth.Gray Snapper (Mangrove Snapper)Lutjanus griseusShort Pectoral Fin.Slightly angulate anal fin.RKWCubera SnapperLutjanus cyanopterusChevron - shaped toothpatch on roof of mouth.Large CanineTeeth.Long Pectoral Fin.Rounded Anal Fin.RKWDog SnapperLutjanus jocuAnchor- shapedtooth patch on roofof mouth.White triangularsplotch under eye.USCGRKW

Porgy

Red Porgy(Silver Snapper, Pinky, Pink Snapper)Pagrus pagrus2nd nostril oval.Light red body color.RKWWhitebone Porgy (Chocolate Porgy)Calamus leucosteus2nd nostril slit - like.Small black spots onmembrane betweenspines.Lacks red bodycoloration.RKW

Knobbed Porgy (Jolthead)Calamus nodosus2nd nostril slit - like.Very steep headprofile.Yellow Spots.RKWLittlehead PorgyCalamus proridensHump on head.Blue lines.RKW

Jolthead PorgyCalamus bajonadoNote: Specimenshown is 22.5”.RKWJolthead Porgy (Anterior)Distinct blue lineunder eye.RKWOrange on inside corner of mouth.

SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalusIncisor - like teeth.Vertical black bars.RKWSpottail Pinfish (Ringtail)Diplodus holbrookiLarge spot oncaudal peduncle.RKW

ScupStenotomus chrysopsIndentationabove eye.Blue line underdorsal fin.10”RKWRKWRKW

Seabass

Black Sea Bass (Blackfish)Centropristis striataRKWBlack saddlebelow dorsalspines.Rock Sea BassCentropristis philadephicaFilaments ondorsal spines.RKWBank Sea BassCentropristis ocyurusNo filaments ondorsal spines.Dark bars withblotches below.RKW

Grunts

White GruntHaemulon plumieriBlue stripes.RKWAll species of Western Atlantic grunts have red oninside of the mouth.TomtateHaemulon aurolineatumRed on inside of mouth.Spot on base of tail.Red mouth.Yellow stripe from eye to tail.RKW

Bluestriped GruntHaemulon sciurusRKWWhen compared to the white grunt, the bluestripedgrunt has a more golden appearance.RKW

CottonwickHaemulon melanurumBlack band uniqueto this species.Red on inside of mouth.Yellow stripes.RKWMargateHaemulon albumRed on inside of mouth.RedTheon insideMargateof is the largest of the Western Atlantic grunts.mouth.RKW

PigfishOrthopristis chrysopteraSmall orange spots.Inside corner ofmouth is red.RKW

Jacks

Banded RudderfishLesser AmberjackGreater AmberjackRKWBanded Rudderfish (Amberine)Seriola zonataGreater AmberjackSeriola dumeriliMore Streamlined.FlatBootDeeper Body.Smaller Eye.RKW

Juvenile Greater AmberjackSteep Head Profile.“Boot” on maxilla.RKWJuvenile Greater AmberjackSteeper HeadProfile.BootLesser AmberjackSeriola fasciataLarger Eye.FlatRKW

NOTE: Lesser Amberjack are typically caught in deeper water than the otherjacks. Fishing vessels having snowy grouper or tilefish will often have lesseramberjacks not banded rudderfish.Lesser AmberjackSeriola fasciataLarge EyeJaw does not extend to midpoint of the eye, andno “boot”.Banded Rudderfish (Amberine)Seriola zonataJaw extends almost tothe posterior part of theeye.Eye is much smaller thanlesser amberjack.LargerEyeJaw extends past midpoint of eye.RKW

The “Boot”The posterior part of the maxilla is much more broad on a greateramberjack.Banded RudderfishThere is a very slightincline of the maxilla.Almaco JackGreater AmberjackNotice the steep incline ofthe maxilla (the boot). Themaxilla is comparativelybroader.Greater Amberjack

Black JackCaranx lugubrisSteep head profile.D. PlayerYellow JackCaranx bartholomaeiLong pectoral fin.Scutes on caudalpeduncle.Yellow underside.D. PlayerAlmaco JackSeriola rivolianaBody comparatively deeperthan rudder, lesser, andgreater.High dorsal fin.“Boot”RKW

African PompanoAlectis ciliarisFilaments ondorsal and anal fin.RKWCrevalle JackCaranx hipposScutes on caudal peduncle.Scutes on caudal peduncle.Distinct black spot on opercle.

Rainbow RunnerElagatis bipinnulataBlue & Yellow stripes.Finlets on caudal peduncle.RKWBlue RunnerCaranx crysosLong Pectoral Fin.Scutes on caudalpeduncle.RKW

Cottonmouth JackUraspis secundaD. Player

TriggerfishFilefish

Gray Triggerfish (Leatherjacket)Balistes capriscusStout 1st dorsal spine.USCGOcean TriggerfishCanthidermis sufflamenD. Player

Queen TriggerfishBalistes vetulaD. PlayerRKWUnicorn FilefishAluterus monocerosRKW

Wrasses

Hogfish (Hog Snapper)Lachnolaimus maximusFilamentsProtruding snout withlarge canine teeth.Black SpotFemaleMaleRKWSpotfin HogfishBodianus pulchellusBlack spot on pectoral fin.RKW

Yellowcheek WrasseHalichoeres cyanocephalusRKWSlippery DickHalichoeres bivittatusRKW

TautogTautoga onitisRKW

Mackerel

Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatusGradual dip inlateral line.Steep dip inlateral line.DBSKing MackerelScomberomorus cavallaAtlantic BonitoSarda sardaStripes on dorsal surface.RKW

Tuna

Little Tunny (Bonita, False Albacore)Euthynnus alletteratusChain PatternSpotsRKWSkipjack TunaKatsuwonus pelamisStripesRKWAlbacoreThunnus alalungaLong Pectoral fin.USCG

Blackfin TunaThunnus atlanticusPec. Fin does notextend past dorsaland anal fins.No yellow.Pec. Fin extendspast dorsal andanal fins.Yellow finlets.RKWYellowfin TunaThunnus albacaresJuvenile Bluefin TunaThunnus thynnusBrackett

OtherOffshoreFishes

Pinfish (Sailors Choice)Lagodon rhomboidesDistinct spot.RKWRKWSand Perch Vertical black bar.Diplectrum formosumAlternate blueand yellow lines.Spot on caudalpeduncle.RKWRKW

Adipose flapTilefish (Golden Tile)Lopholatilus chamaeleonticepsYellow spots.Lacks adipose flap.Distinct blue line under eye.RKWBlueline Tilefish (Grey Tile)Caulolatilus micropsGoldface TilefishCaulolatilus chrysopsBody moreelongate.Yellow IrisRKWD. Player

Sand Tilefish (Slippery Dick)Malacanthus plumieriG. SteeleBearded BrotulaBrotula barbataRKWSouthern HakeUrophycis floridanaSpots behind eyedistinguish this fromsimilar species.RKW

Scorpionfish (Sp. unknown)Scorpaena sp.?RKWBlackbelly RosefishHelicolenus dactylopterusDP

Bermuda ChubKyphosus sectatrixRKWBlue TangAcanthurus coeruleusRetractable spineRKW

Longtail BassHemanthias leptusRKWYellowish tinge on dorsal fin.Creole FishParanthias furciferLong filaments.RKWSmaller EyeSilkyAppearance.RKWSpanish FlagGonioplectrus hispanusDP

Soldierfish (Sp. Unknown)SquirrelfishHolocentrus adscensionisLarge Eye.Black tipped pelvic and anal fins.Short Bigeye (Toro)Priacanthus alta

CubbyuEquetus umbrosusRKWRed LionfishPterois volitansSpines are extremelypoisonous.RKW

Mutton HamletEpinephelus aferLarge eye veryclose to forehead.RKW

Sharks

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Small Coastal)Rhizoprionodon terraenovaeDistinct 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 tiburoScalloped Hammerhead (Large coastal)Sphyrna lewiniIndentation on central part of headLacks interdorsal ridge