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278 FISHES IN FULL COLOR

FISHES
A GUIDE TO FRESH - AND
SALT-WATER SPECIES
by
HERBERT S. ZIM, PH.D.
and
HURST H. SHOEMAKER, PH.D.
Associate Professor of Zoology Emeritus
University of Illinois

Il lustrated by
JAMES GORDON IRVING

GOLDEN PRESS

NEW YORK

Western Publishing Company, Inc.

Racine, Wisconsin

F O R EWO R D
Golden Trout

Queen Triggerfish

F i shes have lived on the earth l onger than any other

backboned a n i m a l s and show greater d iversi t y in their
way of l ife . If i n terest i n fishes can be judged by i n terest
i n fi s h i n g , they a re the most popu lar a n i m a l s , too . With
this book, the Golden G u ides now encompass a l l the ver
tebrates-fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
L i ke previ ous Guides, the m a k i n g of t h i s book was a
cooperative effort of authors, experts, a r t i sts, a n d pub
l i shers . We wish to thank the fo l l owing organ izations for
the assi stance they have g iven : U n iversity of I l l i no i s Mu
seum of Natural H i story; U . S . Fish and W i l d l ife Service;
Gulf Coast Resea rch laboratory; The U . S . N a t i o n a l
Museum ; S c r i p p s I nstitution of Ocea nogra phy; I l l i n o i s
N a tura l H i story Survey; and t h e C h i ca g o N a t u r a l H i s
t o r y Museu m . I ndividual h e l p from experts has been
bountifu l . May we especia l l y thank Reeve M. B a i l ey,
Frederick M . Bayer, Ha rvey R . B u l l i s , J r. , J o h n E . F itch,
J o h n R . Greeley, Gordon Gunter, Dona l d F. H offmeis
ter, C a r l l . H u bbs, R. We ldon la rimore, George G.
lower, lawrence Page, Wa l d o l . Schmitt, leonard P.
Sch u l tz, Henry F. Shirtz, Stewa rt Springer, Thomas Uz
zel l , loren P. Woods, and M i l ton W. Zi m .
H . S . Z.
H . H . S.
Revised Edition. 1987
Copyright 1987, 1955 by Western Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved,
including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means, including
the makin9 of copies by any photo process, or by any electronic or mechanical
device, pnnted or written or oral. or recording for sound or visual reproduction or
for use in any knowledge retrieval system or device, unless permission in writing
is obtained from the copyright proprietor. Produced in the U.S.A. Published by
Golden Press, New York, N.Y. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 618322. ISBN 0-307-24059-2

US

This book is a n i ntroduction to the world of fi shes-a n

i m portant part of the g reater wor l d of aquatic l i fe . It i s
pri m a r i l y a g u i d e to fi shes as l i v i n g a n i m a l s a nd hence
attempts to i n c l ud e most of the common fresh- a n d salt
water fi shes of N orth American waters .
One problem i n learn i n g about fi shes i s that they are
not eas i l y seen except at a n aquari u m , o r when caug h t .
So, b e prepa red to identify fi shes b y u s i ng t h i s book
before ha n d . Fa m i l iarity with fi shes g a i ned by t h u m b i n g
t h r o u g h p a g e s at odd m oments may e n a b l e you to make
rough identifications at s i g h t . U se t h i s book as a n "arm
c h a i r" g u i d e , but a l so take it i nto the fie l d with you , for
that i s where it can be used best . On fi s h i n g trips take it
a l ong i n a p l a stic bag .
Use the table o n the next two pages t o h e l p place i n
its proper group the fi sh you wish t o identify. Then l o o k
t h r o u g h the proper sect i o n of t h e b o o k f o r a p i cture o f
t h e fi s h , o r one l i ke i t . Remem ber that o n l y the m o r e
common species a re i l l ustrated . Their scientific n a m e s
are o n p p . 154-157. With these are a bbreviations i n d i
c a t i n g where the fi shes a re found . Such notations refer
to the species i l l ustrated , not necessa r i l y to the entire
genus o r fa m i l y.
As a further h e l p on ocean l ife, use S E AS H O R E S ,
another G o l d e n G u i d e . T h e book l i st o n p . 153 i ntro
duces more advanced books . I n using these, you may
fi nd it advantageous to know the scientifi c names of
fi shes .

GU I D E

TO

THE

M AJ O R

The main groups of

fishes

....-!II.IIIIIII.IJI, S H ARKS and

RAYS Have five or m ore gill

openings, scales placoid, thornlike, or absent
( term s are given an p. 12) . 20-29

....,.!!lll!lil!!>o-

STURGEONS

and

HERRING-LIKE

Tail shark-like or

GARS

rounded; ganaid scales

Fins

FISHES

32-33

without

spines, pelvic fins on abdomen, tail forked,

no adipose fin

adipose fin, no barbels

usually

. 42-50

EELS, MINNOWS, SUCKERS,

Fins

34-41

Fins without spines;

TROUTS, SALMONS

FISHES

without

and

CAT

spines,

oir

bladder connected by a duct with alimentary

canal

FLYINGFISHES

both of the

j a ws

and relatives

52-66
One

or

are elon g a te or the fishes

COD-LIKE FISHES

Usually three dorsal fins

. . . . 67-69

eyes on upper side of head

SEAHORSES

. 70-75

Lie an one side and have both

FLATFISHES

. . . 76-78

and relatives

at end of long snout

-!!==,. MACKERELS AND

4

have winglike fins

without spines

TUNAS

Small mouth
.

80

Characterized

by numerous finlets above and below the

tail

84-89

GRO U P S

OF

AM E R I CAN

FISHES

and the i r p l a ces i n this book:

Us u a l l y a l a t e r a l
strengthens narrow tail

JACKS

keel t h a t
. . 93-96

and SUNFISHES
Fresh-water fishes with spiny and soft dorsal
fins . . . . .
. . . . . .
97-105

PERCHES, DARTERS,

and GROUPERS l a r g e
mouthed marine fishes with spiny a n d soft
dorsal fins . . . . . . . . . . 106-111

SEA BA SSES

and PORGIES
Common marine fishes, chiefly tropical . Body
usua lly deep and compressed . . 112-118

SNAPPERS, GRUNTS,

and DRUMS
lateral line extends across tail fin 119-123

CROAKERS, WEAKFISHES,

and SCOR
Sculpin-like or mail -cheeked
fishes . . . . . . . . . . . . 124-129
SCULPIN$, SEAROBINS,

PIONFISHES

large, cycloid sca les. Spiny and

soft dorsals; fins are continuous and long.
Found among corals and rocks . . . . 130

WRASSES

and ANGELFISHES
Brilliantly colored; compressed; tropical
131-133

BUTTERFLYFI S H ES

and
Boxlike or spiny with teeth fused
for n i pping . . . . . . . . . 134-143
TRIGGERFISH ES, TRUN KFIS H ES,
PUFFERS

BUNNIES and GOBlES S m a l l ; long-bod

ied ; often lack scales
. . . . 144-147

and ANGLERS
Paired fins "faot-like , " used for walking ;
"bait" on head . . . . . . . . 148-1 S 1
BATFISHES, FROGFISHES,

ST U DY I N G F I S H ES

say d ictionaries, are

finned, backboned animals that
l ive in water and breathe by
means of g i l ls. Modern fi shes form
a diverse, important, and chal
lenging group of anima ls, not
very we l l known i n spite of the
tremendous im porta nce of com
mercia l and recreational fishin g .
I n this Guide w e genera l ly fol l ow
the scientific practice of using the
plura l form "fishes" to im ply di
versity of kin ds, a n d the p lura l
form "fish" in a more q ua ntitative
sense.

F I S H ES,
Brook Trout
cold fresh water

Channel Catfish
warm fresh water

Cod

cold salt water

Eel-hatched in salt
water, lives in fresh

Salmon - hatched in

KI NDS

AND

DISTRIBUTION

Experts estimate that there a re

a bout 30,000 species of fishes.
Some species have world-wide
distribution; some are lim ited to
a single lake or stream . About
4,000 species a re l isted for North
American waters. F lorida records
a bout 1 00 fresh- a n d 600 sa lt
water fishes; southern California,
a bout 400. Many fishes l ive only
in fresh water; many a re marine;
and a few divide their l ives i n be
tween . Som e prefer brackish wa
ter, where rivers m i n g l e with the
ocean . Some species l ive only in
cold water; others in warm .
fresh water, lives in salt

NAM E S O F F I S H E S are often confusing . Both the popu

lar names and the scientific names (pp. 1 54- 1 57) used in
this book fol l ow A liST OF COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC N AMES
OF FISHES and its supplements, prepared by the American
F isheries Society. Wider use of these preferred names,
which stress proper fa mily relationships, will tend to reduce
misunderstandings about names of fishes .
ADAPTAT I ON S of fi shes are as i ntri g u i ng as the fishes

themselves. Swi mming is characteristic of a l l fishes . Sea

robins and a few others can a l so crawl a l ong the bottom
with the aid of unusual fi n s . A number of fishes burrow in
sand or m u d ; flyi ngfishes g l ide considera ble d ista nces in
the a i r ; eel s migrate through wet grass; and C l i mbing Perch
creep from pond to pond across the mud .
Fi shes do not see very wel l , pa rtly beca use of their eye
structure and partly because, as one goes deeper in water,
the light g rows dimmer. Below 1 , 500 ft. fishes l ive i n
darkness . F ishes have, however, a wel l -developed sense of
ba lance and of taste . Some have an excel lent sense of
touch a lso, this being a ided by sensitive feelers (barbels)
near the mouth . Fishes can hear; they a re sensitive to
vibrations, currents, and changes
i n temperature and pressure .
optic cerebral
cerebellum lobes hemisphere
low-freq uency vibrations a re
detected by organs in the latera l
li nes at their sides.
A FISH'S BRAIN

vitreous
humor
cornea
iris
FIELD OF
A FISH'S VISION

retina
A FISH'S EYE

o p erculum

lateralli ne

spiny dorsal fin

or
tail fin

vent ral fins

PA R T S

OF

FISHES

PARTS OF F I S H ES have distinct, precise names . Use

them in identifying a fish . The fish pictured above is a
typica l bony fish (sharks, pp. 20-28, are somewhat differ
ent) . F i shes have two sets of pa ired fins, the pectora l and
the pelvic or ventra l , corresponding to our arms and leg s .
They a l so have three unpai red fins: t h e dorsa l or back; the
cauda l , or tai l ; and the ana l . These d iffer i n size and shape
from fish to fis h . An operculum covers the g i l l s except in
the shark and its relatives . Nostrils usua lly have two open
i ngs on .each side. More highly developed fishes have a
urogenita l-tract opening separate from the anus. The ears
have no external openings.
The sca les ( p . 1 2) on most bony fishes a re often im
portant i n identification, beca use the n u m ber of rows of
sca les i s constant for a speci e s . The fi ns, used for ba l
ance a n d movement, a re i m portant, too . T h e i r rays may
be spiny or soft and branched . The dorsal fi n often has
two parts : the first, spi ny, and the seco n d , soft . The
number of rays or spi nes i n a fi n counts i n i dentification .

I NTERNAL STRUCTURES of fishes set the pattern for

a ll vertebrates. Bony fishes usua l ly have four pairs of g i l ls.
Water passes through the mouth and over the g i l ls, g iv
ing up some of the oxygen dissolved in it. The swim blad
ders of some fishes help in breathing. A two-chambered
heart and a simple system of veins and a rteries circulate
the b lood, which carries oxygen a n d digested food. Fishes
usua l ly have large mouths and teeth suited for grasp
ing, tearing, or grind ing. Food passes through a digestive
tube and, with the aid of accessory g l a n ds, is converted
into soluble form in the stomach and i ntestines. Digestive
wastes a re elim inated throug h the a n us, a n d kidneys
extract urine from the b lood .
The head of fishes contains a brain simpler than, yet
similar to, brains of other vertebrates. F rom it a spi n a l
cord travels t h e length o f t h e body, protected by the
backbone. The skeleton of fishes is complex, with many
sma l l bones (as any diner on fish wel l knows). The eggs
of the fema le and the sperm or m i lt of the male are usua l ly
discharged i nto the water, where the eggs are fertilized
and the young develop.
spinal cord

stomach

backbone

F I S H A N D WAT E R are insepar

PELAGIC FISHES
(those that can live and feed
well above the bottom)
Barracuda (I I
Halfbeak (2)
Mackerel (3)
Flyingfish
Tuna
Jacks
Dolphin
Harvestfish

BOTTOM FISHES
(those that live and feed
at or near the bottom)
Stingray (I I
Bonefish (2)
Catfish (3)
Searabin
Flounder
Batfish
Spiny Dogfish
Paddlefish

able. The relati onship i s q uite

complex, for conditions of the
water go far in determ i n ing the
fish population . Some physical
factors that affect fishes a re tem
perature, depth {pressure), sa lin
ity, turbidity (undisso lved solids),
and the amount of d i sso lved oxy
gen . More oxygen, for exa mple,
dissolves in cold water than in
wa rm water, and hence fishes such
as trout, wh ich need much oxy
gen, req u i re colder water.
M I G R AT I O N S a r e c o m m o n .
Commercial a n d sport fishermen
often depend on these movements
to get bigger catches . Migrations
may be from fresh to sa lt water or
vice versa, toward or away from
the surface, or north and south .
Data on fish migrations are needed
bad ly; anyone who fi nds a tagged
fish should report it to the proper
authorities.

Mackerel

SHAPES of fishes usua l ly have

the streamlined pattern which is

so efficient in the water. Mammals
such as whales and dolphins that
have returned to l ife i n the seas
have developed a similar form.
Man uses stream l ining in ships
and submarines. Mem bers of the
mackerel fa mily offer the best ex
a m ples of strea m l ined fish form .
Fishes show a great ra nge of
depa rtures from the strea m l ined
shape. These many departures
ra nge a l l the way from the thin,
a lmost ropelike eels to the trian
g u lar cowfish and the very flat
tened flounders. Each of these
represents a n ada ptation to a
specific way of l ife which puts a
prem i u m on something other than
fast swim ming. Flounders, for ex
ample, lie neatly camouflaged
on the bottom, awaiting shrimp,
other crustacea ns, and sma l l fishes
on which they feed.

Flounder

placoid scales

ganoid scales

cycloid scales

ctenoid scales

heterocercal
tail of sharks and sturgeon

SCALES AND TAILS F ishes are

sca leless when hatched, but most
develop sca les the fi rst year. Some
fishes have rough sca l es with
com b l ike edges (ctenoid scales);
others have smooth (cycloid)
sca les. Sca les of prim itive fishes
are heavy and plate l ike (ganoid);
those of sharks a re tooth like (p lac
oid). Sca les grow from pockets in
the skin, growth being ma rked by
rings. I n winter, g rowth is usua l ly
less and rings are closer together,
forming an a n n u lus or annual
ring. The n umber of these rings
tel l s the age of a fish.
Tails reflect changes that have
taken p lace through the ages. I n
sha rks, as in early fossil fishes, the
upper pa rt of the ta i l , containing
the backbone, extends to a point.
In modern bony fishes, the tai l is
more balanced and the backbone
ends where the tail begins.

homocercal
tail of most bony fishes

F I S H I NG w i l l long remain an important i ndustry, for fi sh

are among the least exploited of all the a n i m a l s of d i rect
use to m a n . About 83 m i l l ion tons of fish are taken an
nually, and this harvest could be g reatly increased . Nearly
98% of the fish harvest is taken i n the northern hemi
sphere, a bout equally d ivided between the Atlantic and
the Pacific . Some 50 species provide the b u l k of commer
cial catches . Many other fishes that are ed ible or otherwise
useful a re not taken . I n the U n ited States a lone, fisheries
represent a 46-bil lion-dol l a r industry.
The oceans, which cover nearly three-quarters of the
g lobe, conta i n far more plant l ife than i s found on land .
These limitless miles of "pasture"-mainly microscopic plants
(phytoplankton)-support many m i l lions of m i nute a n i m a l s
(zooplankton) which, i n t u r n , a r e food f o r fishes.
F I S H E S A S W I L D L I F E play an important part i n the
.
natura l environment. Oceans, lakes, and river s have the i r
own natural communities of p l a n t and a n i m a l l ife that in
clude fishes. F ishes serve as food for many vertebrates.
Shore and ocean birds probably consume much more than
man. Fishes as wildl ife furn ish unpara l leled sport for m i l
lions . N o other sport h a s so m a n y participants .
C O N S E RVAT I O N is of growing importance to the world's
fishes, even though they are so plentiful i n numbers . The
main peri l to fishes is not the fisherman and his catch but
the wastes of cities and industries, and results of poor
farming . Water pollution, by sewage and industrial wastes,
is a big problem in i n land waters and in some bays and
harbors. It may soon prove a threat to the ocea ns them
selves. The increased erosion on farmland has si lted and
muddied nearby streams, destroying the fish in the m . If
you are i nterested i n fishes, conservation-the wise use of
a l l our natura l resources-is your problem, too .

13

R
E
c
E
N
T
c
I
N
0
z
0
I

"1
l:0 '!
..

..

'='
l:t
ell

"!\

;..
....

't

!.

!.

FISHES-the oldest major group of vertebrates-go back

nea rly a half-billion yea rs. Fossilized fish bones and
scales have been found in rocks 400 million years old .
The Devo n i a n period (about 350 million years ago) has
been called the Age of Fishes beca use of the plentiful
14

outs
Herrings, Tr

M
E
5
0
z
0
I

fish rema ins fou nd in rocks of both ocea n ic a n d fresh

water orig i n . Some fishes have survived ti l l today with
scarcely a change. Ma n y others have become extinct.
Stil l others have g iven rise to new groups. The chart shows
the fami ly tree a n d evol ution of fishes.

15

A M ATE U R A CTI V I TI E S

There is much that you can d o with fishes besides fish ing,
and eve n this lead ing sport is enhanced by a knowledge
of fishes and their habits . Resea rch conducted by u n i
versities, by m useums, and by government agencies con
tinua l l y revea l s new and important facts about fi shes.
You too can contribute to this fie l d of knowled g e .
A n y trai ned observer can contri bute
to our knowledge about fishes. life h istor ies of many
species a re stil l u n k nown. Much can still be learned about
the behavior of common, easily observed species, but
observa t i o n s must be systematic and persistent to be
worthwhile. Binocu lars often hel p . Make a "water glass"
or use a mask as a next step. later you may wa nt to
go under water (with s u itable equ ipment) for d i rect
observation .

F I E LD STU D I E S

TA N K STU D I E S in aquaria may enable yo u to make

observations that would otherwise be impossib l e . For

fresh-water a q u a r ia, use water from a pond, stream, or
wel l . Add a m p l e water p l a nts, and d o not overfeed the
fish . Salt-water aquaria a re more d iffic u l t . The water
should be c i r c u l a ted and aerated by pum ping . F irst, try
only a few fi shes in a l a rge ta n k ; then add eelgrass or
other pla nts, and a few invertebrates. Severa l tria l s may
needed

P H OTO G RA P H Y
of
fi s h e s c a n b e d o n e i n
aquaria or spec i a l g l ass
ta nks that l i m i t the speci
men's movements . Photogra phy i s rich a n d rewa r d i n g ,
espec i a l l y w i t h sma l l , b r i g h t l y c o l o red fi shes o f wa rmer
wate r s . The use of color, with the newer, faster fi l m s ,
c a n add m u c h t o you r pictures o f fi shes . F l a s h or photo
flood l i g hting i s necessa ry indoors. Keep you r eyes open
for te l l i ng deta i l s .
S K I N D I V I N G opens new vistas for studying fi shes i n
the i r natura l environment. S u rface and u n derwater o b
servi ng c a n be a s thri l l i ng as hunting . But t a k e t i m e t o
devel o p t h e necessary ski l l ; learn to w o r k safe l y a n d
unhurriedly to g e t t h e best resu lts .
C O L L E C T I N G for scientific study is someth ing q u ite
different from fi s h i n g for sport or food . Ma k i n g a c o l l ec
tion of fi shes i s not a s easy a s co l l ecting she l l s o r flowe r s .
The mounting of l a rge spec i mens f o r exh i b i t c a l l s for a
s k i l led tax i d e r m i s t . S m a l l e r speci mens for study can be
preserved i n a l cohol (rubbing a l cohol w i l l do), but it i s
desira b l e first to f i x t h e m i n a 10% s o l u t i o n of forma l i n .
I n ject preserving fl u i d i nto t h e body cavity of l a rger fi s h ,
or s l i t o p e n t h e a bdomen . P reserved fi shes l o se the i r
color, but y o u can study o t h e r cha racteristics at lei s u re .
17

DETAI L E D I DENTIF ICAT I O N of fishes depends on

characteristics which may look minor and u nim porta nt to
the unin itiated-structure of teeth, position a n d size of
fi ns, sha pe of ta il, type of sca les, a n d the l ike. For such
identification, actu a l possession of a fresh or preserved
specimen is essentia l. So is experience in observin g criti
c a l points a n d in using keys and reference books. First
become fam i l iar with the anatomy of fishes (pp. 8-9) .
Then, starting with fishes you know, use the keys foun d
i n t h e books l isted o n p. 1 53 until you feel sure o f you r
m ethods. Fina l ly try fishes with which you a r e not fa m i l iar.
SPEC IAL STUDIES of fishes bring you to the border of

scientific research. A good dea l has been and can be

done by a mateurs. First, use this book to learn to identify
common fishes. Then make a more systematic study of the
fishes of your region . Begin to observe how fishes l ive,
and by that time you wi l l discover there is m uc h of inter
est a n d im portance which is not yet in books. From this
to research is but a short step.

L AM P R E Y S a n d HAGF I S H E S belong to a class sep

arate from true fi shes. Both lack jaws, but use thei r
sucking mouths and rasping tongues to eat i nto the flesh
of fi sh they atta c k . lam preys, now a menace i n the Great
lakes, spawn i n tri butary strea m s , laying their eggs i n a
sha l l ow nest . Bu rrowing young rema i n i n the strea m s
about 3 yea rs before returning to l a kes or the sea . Some
species grow 2 to 3 ft. l o n g . H agfishes o r Slime E e l s ,
b l i n d and s l i my, are c o m m o n marine pests a nd scaven
g e r s i n water over 1 00 ft. deep. They eat d e a d fi sh and
those trapped i n nets.

FA M I L Y T R E E

OF

S HA R K S a n d RAY S comprise one of the two g ro u ps of

true fi shes . The other is the bony fishes . Sha rks and rays
a re p r i m itive; some of them have changed l i t t l e in 1 00
m i l l i o n yea rs . Sha rks and rays have no bones; their ske l -

SHARKS

AND

R AY S

etons are of cartilage, h a rdened by l i m e . They have

sma l l , tooth l i ke (placoid) sca les, and g i l l s covered by
severa l pa ra l l e l s l i ts . Of about 1 50 N orth American
spec ies, all a re marine; a few i nvade fresh water.
Shark Teeth

Hammerhead Shark Teeth

22

SMOOTH HAMM E R H EAD

has eyes
at the ends of flattened exten
sions of its sku l l . T his wa rm -water
shark grows over 1 2 ft. long, may
weigh over 1 , 000 lb. It lives nea r
the surface, feeding on other
fishes .

SANDBAR SHARK, common,

g rows t o about 8 f t . Related to
Tiger and B lue Sharks, both re
puted "man-eaters . " Found from
the tro pics north to New E ng
land, east into the Mediterra
nean. Feeds on bottom fishes .

S P I N Y DOG F I S H , a common pest

of fishermen , g rows to 4 ft. As in
other sharks, female is larger than
male. Eggs develop inside fe
male; 2 to 1 1 young are born
alive. Found in Atlantic and
Pacific .

NURSE SHARK is a large (6 to 1 0

ft . ). s l uggish s h a r k o f warm
waters . A lazy scavenger, i t is
often found in shallows along
Florida shores. It has a short,
blunt head ; sma l l teeth and eyes.

TIGER SHARK,

1 4 f t . or more,
strea m l i ned, prefers worm surface
waters. Feeds on oil kinds of sea
life, including other sharks and
rays. N otched sow-teet h , s i m i l a r
in b o t h jaws. Young b o r n o l ive;
browner than adults; spot ted .

a tropica l man
eater, grows well over 30 f t . Most
often seen offshore. It feeds on
sea ls and many kinds of fi shes .
Young ore born o l ive . There i s
little danger f r o m s h a r k s i n tem
perate coastal waters .

on unusua l
shark, hos a long toil which i t
threshes bock and f o r t h i n schools
of small fish when feed i ng . Found
in worm or temperate waters, the
Thresher g rows to 20 ft . , over
1 , 000 lb. Shark i s good eating;
the Thresher espec i a l l y so.

SOUP F I N S H A R K is h i g h l y prized
by Asians as food . It has been
pr ized on the Pacific Coast, too,
for its liver, rich in vita m i n A.
Possibly because of over-fi s h i n g ,
Soupfi ns ore n o w rare . Grows
about 6ft. long; we ight to 1 00 l b .

TH R E S H E R SHARK,

WHITE SHARK,

WHALE SHARKS are the largest of a l l fishes. First

discovered in 1 828, they remained a mystery for some
time. Now known in a l l warmer seas, Whale Sharks grow
45 ft. long, perhaps longer, and may weigh as much as
1 5 tons. A 38-ft. specimen captured near F lorida showed
the distinctive checkered and spotted pattern that marks
Whale Sharks. These h uge, harm less sharks swim close to
the surface and feed by straining sma l l sea a nima ls out
of the water m uch the same way as Baleen Wha les. They
have n umerous, very sma l l teeth in both jaws. Not m uch
is known of the l ife history of these monsters. Young are
hatched from eggs. C losely related to the Wha le Shark
is the slig htly smal ler Basking Shark, wh ich has similar
feeding habits. It lives in cooler waters a n d lacks the
Whale Shark's markings. N either shark is common.

24

AT L A N T I C M ANTA is the l a rgest ray a nd the subject

of some of the biggest fish fa bles. Despite its large size

( it may be more than 20 f t . across and weigh we l l over a
ton), it is not a dangerous fis h , but feeds o n crustacea ns
and sma l l ocea n l ife somewhat as the Wha l e S h a r k does.
Its teeth a r e very s m a l l-perhaps useless . Most rays l ive
at the botto m , but this one prefers the s urface, often
basking with its huge "wings" barely awa s h . Ma nta s ,
apparently in p lay, lea p complete ly into t h e a ir, fa l l ing
back into the water with a thundering s l a p . They are
found wid e l y in wa rmer waters and are common in the
Gulf Strea m . The flesh is good eating a n d is sometimes
used a s food . The h a r m l ess Manta is considered a sport
fish in southern waters . I t puts u p a g a m e fig ht when
harpooned .

BARNDOOR SKATE, one of the

LITTLE SKATE, a fish of northern

la rgest (up to 5 ft. long), is gen

erally fou n d i n water over 100 ft.
deep along the Atlantic coast as
fa r north as Nova Scotia . It has a
p ointed snout a n d a smooth skin.
Food consists of bottom fish, crabs,
a n d possibly shellfish. The egg
case is large a n d g reenish brown.

Atlantic waters, is fou n d from the

shore line down to depths of 300
ft. or m ore. Like a ll skates, it is
a bottom feeder, livin g m a i n ly on
crustaceans. I d entify it by its more
rou nded nose and the a bsence of
spines on its back. Length to 20
in. "Wings" make g ood eati n g .

EGG CASES may be

fou n d empty o n almost every
beach. Skates lay eggs, each in a
h orny conta iner, nearly a l l yea r
round. They h atch in 5 to 6
months, depending on wate r tem
perature. Egg cases vary i n size
from 1'12 by 3 i n . (exclusive of the
h orns) to over twice as big.

TORPEDO is a trop ical r a y . Th is

SKATES'

26

squat, stubby fish has cells in its

head which generate an electric
cu rrent strong enough to give a
severe shock. Usu ally u n d e r 3 ft.
lang-occasion a lly m u c h larger.
A simila r species lives in the Pa
cific, a n d one oth er small electric
ray occu rs off Florida.

and sev
eral s i m i l a r species of la rge rays
(Stingarees) found i n warm waters
have whiplike tails longer than
their bodies, with a long stinger
which can i nfl ict pai nful wounds.
These rays, of the Dasyatis group,
may grow up to 7ft. long . This
stingray and its k i n are d i a mond
shaped; they frequent shallow
waters.
BLUNTNOSE S T I N G RAY

P O I S O N OUS S T I N G E R S (1 to 3
of them ) , located part way down
the whiplike ta i l , mark most rays.
They are sharply toothed, bony,
and poi sonous, causing pai nful
w o u n d s . If i n ju r e d , s q ueeze
wound and soak in hot water.
Guard against i nfectio n . See a
doctor unless healing is prompt.

ROUN D STING RAYS are brown

with scattered yel l owish spots.
These small rays (up to 24 i n . ) are
common in shallow waters and are
feared by swi m mers because of
their "stinger. " Unlike skates, the
young of rays are born alive. They
bear from 2 to 8 young .

SMOOTH BUTT E R F LY RAY i s a

very broad ray with a very short
ta i l and an a l m o s t t r i a n g u l a r
shape. The three species o f But
terfly Rays all prefer wa rmer
water, but a re found as far north
as Cape Cod on the Atlantic
coast. Common in bays and other
sha l l ow areas; width up to 6 It .

roy found i n wormer waters . It d i ffers

fro m other rays i n that it often ascends
rivers . The nose i s mod ified into a flat
tened , hard sow with from 1 6 to 32 pa i rs
of "teeth" along the edges, depen d i ng o n
the species. The young of Sawfi s h o re
born o l ive, l i ke other rays , but the tiny
sow of the young i s covered with a sheath
which i s shed soon after b i r t h . Sawfi s h
hove reached over 20 ft. i n l e n g t h and
over l , 200 l b . in weig h t . They feed in
sha l l ow water on sma l l fi s h , w h ich they
slosh with the i r sows . Young Sawfi sh ore
tasty but ore not often eaten . Do not
confuse with Swordfi sh (p. 90) .
G U I TA R F I S H E S ore intermed iate be

tween sharks and rays . They l o c k the

Sawfi sh's wea pon but ore genera l l y s i m i
l o r. Average length i s a bout 2 f t .

28

C H I MA E RA S a n d RATFI S H E S represent a sma l l but

i nterest i n g group of fishes intermediate between the

sharks a n d bony fishes. Their skeletons a re s i m i l a r to
those of sharks. They have only a s i n g l e g i l l open i n g ,
like the b o n y fi shes, b u t t h e g i l l cover i s n o t bony.
C h i maeras a n d Ratfishes a re wor l dwide, ma i n l y i n deep
water. The Atl a ntic C h i maeras a r e up t o 3 ft. l ong.
Ratfishes are found i n the Gulf of Mex i c o and i n the
Pacifi c , where they range north to Alaska. One Pac ific
species enters s ha l l ow water. Ratfi shes lay eggs i n ridged
capsules somet h i n g l i ke those of skate s . The back s p i nes
are reportedly poisonous. Ma le Ratfishes a n d C h imae
ras have a sha rp-spi ned , c l u b l i ke g rowth between the
eyes and reproductive organs attached to the pelvic fi ns.

F A M I LY

TREE

OF

BONY

FISHES

T H E BONY F I S H ES ore the most recent, best known, a n d

most widely d istributed fishes. They form t h e largest c lass

of bockboned anima ls-about 30,000 species. Since they
ore so variable, common characteristics ore hard to single
out; some of these ore g iven on the facing page.

Bony fi shes may be fl at, round , or d i storted . Sca l e s

or fi ns may be reduced or a b s e n t . The s i n g l e pa i r of g i l l
open i n g s h a s bony cove r i ng s . T h e l a rgest fi sh i s the
Whale Shark; the s m a l lest is a goby less than a n i n c h
long .

31

Atlantic Sturgeon resembles the fa med

European species; the black eggs of the fema l e m a ke
fine caviar. These a re fishes of a ncient l i neage {pp. 30-3 1 ),
with stiff bony p lates and primitive tail s . They swim a l ong
the bottom with chin barbe l s just touching the sand . When
these sensitive feelers touch sma l l anima l s , the sturgeon
shoots out its tubular mouth and sucks in its d i n ner. Other
North American sturgeons incl ude smal ler lake Sturgeon
(2 ft . ) , Shovel nose Sturgeon , and White Sturgeon of the
West Coast. This and the Atlantic Sturgeon g row to over
1 0 ft. The Padd lefish, a fresh-water relative, has become
rare i n recent years.
STURGEONS

GARS, like sturgeons, are

fishes of a n American family
which was widespread in
ancient times. All prefer
warm water, where they
prey on other American
fishes; they have a lung- like
swim bladder that supple
ments the gills in the ab
sorption of oxygen in sum
mer when the supply in the
water is low. Milt and roe of
gars are poisonous (as is
true of severa l other fishes).
Gars are active, a rmored,
and not easily caug ht. Some
times "gar-rodeos" a re held to ca pture gars by wire snares.
The Shortnose Gar occurs less commonly in brackish water
of bays than the Longnose, Spotted, and A l ligator Ga rs.
All i n habit fresh-water rivers and lakes of the Mississippi
basin. The A l l igator Gar (4 to 6 ft.) is the largest.

33

TAR P O N , L A DYF I S H , a n d B O N E F I S H represent

three species s i m i l a r to the herri n g s (pp. 36-40) . All are

favorites of sportsmen, but once caught, these bony
fi shes are usua l l y turned l oose to fight aga i n . And they
are terrific fig hters, a s enthusiasts will testify.
Ta rpo n , fa mous for its specta c u l a r leaps, is l a rgest and

best known, avera g i n g a bout 4 ft. long a n d 60 l b . ,

though occasiona l l y much l a rger and heavier. Tarpon
has a b l ue-g ray back, sha d i n g i nto bright si lver o n the
sides, with a n occasiona l touch of yel l ow on the fi n s . It
has a long , tra i l i n g d orsa l fi n ; coarse sca les, somet i mes
over an inch across; and a l a rge mouth with m i nute teet h .
Tarpon c o m e i nto sha l l ow water and u p i nto river s to
feed on s m a l l e r fis h . Found only in summer in the north
ern part of its range.
La dyfi sh , sometimes known a s Ten-Pounder, i s s m a l l e r
t h a n Tarpon but l ike i t has a b o n y p late u n d e r t h e throat.
It, too, p refers bays, i n lets, a n d mouths of rivers, a n d i s
va l ued m o r e a s g a m e t h a n a s a food fi s h . P refers wa rmer
wate r s . A l 0 - l b . Ladyfish i s l arge; 2 o r 3 lb. i s the more
usua l weight. Has a s i m i l a r relative i n the warmer waters
of the Pacifi c .
Bo n efi sh i s the last o f these si lver-sided g a m e fishes .
This one a l so prefers sha l l ow water i n grass beds a n d
i n lets but d o e s not a scend rivers. Bonefish have mouths

34

that open d ownwa r d , i n d i cating bottom feed i n g . They

l ive on crabs and mol lusks, and a re genera l l y caught
with l ive bait, such a s shrimp. The sportsman may take
hours to l ocate Bonefish a n d hours more to hook one
before he e n j oys the t h r i l l of the fig h t .

H E R R I N G FAMILY incl udes fishes with compressed

bodies tapering to a sharp keel . Fins are without spines,
and the pe lvic fins a re on the abdomen. The tail is forked
and there is no adipose fi n . Herring are abunda nt, a
prime food of predaceous fishes, a nd com prise more of
the commercia l catch than a l l other families combined.
ALEW I F E, a member of the herring family, similar to

Shad, was once very common and is sti l l of commercia l

im porta nce. These prolific fish (sometimes cal led Branch
Herring) live i n coasta l waters. They move u p rivers
to spawn in spring just before the Shad. Young remain
in the rivers til l fa l l . Then, 2 to 4 in. long, they swim
back to sea, where they grow to about 1 0 to 1 2 in.
(maximu m , 1 5 in.) and to a weight of 1 l b . A l ewife are
caught in nets as they move u pstream, and are sol d as
herring . They are used for oil and i n feed products.
The H ickory Shad, a more southern species, is similar,
but has a more tapering head and a thicker body.

36

AMERICAN S H AD, aristocrat of the h errings, has a

life h istory similar to the A lewife's. It too is n etted as

it ascends rivers to spawn. But it is a larger, more tasty
fish, prized as a table delicacy. Shad average under
2 ft. long and about 4 lb. in weig ht, though they may
g row more than twice as heavy. Shad was one of the
fi rst fishes to be artificia l ly propagated. I ntroduced a long
the Pacific in 1 870, Shad soon became a commercia l
fish. It was once abundant a l l a long the Atlantic, but
tream po l l ution has cut the catch to less than one-fifth
of its past average. Now, under good management, Shad
are returning to som e of the eastern rivers.

'

PAC I F I C SAR D I N E S , often called P i l c hards or C a l ifor

nia Sard i nes, are most fam i l i a r i n ca n s . Whatever their

name, these m e m bers of the herring fam i l y are one of
our i m portant commercial fishes . Over h a l f a m i l lion tons
are caught a n n u a l l y, most of the catch g o i n g d i rectl y
i nto canned fish and i n d ustrial products . Pacific Sard i nes
a re a fish of open sea s , movi ng i n g reat schoo l s . Spec i a l
sard ine boats w i t h g i a nt purse seines h a u l i n t h e catc h .
The you n g m ove c l oser t o shore t o feed on p l a n kton . A s
they mature they move seaward aga i n , a n d i n o n e to
three yea rs g row 7 to 1 0 i nches long . They may l ive a s
l o n g a s t e n years.
Pacifi c Sardine young are pri zed a s bait fi s h . The
Pacific tuna boats use m i l lions of pounds yea rly as bait
in tuna fi s h i n g .

Sett i ng purse sei n e over s i d e of

tra w l e r. S k i f f acts as a d r a g .

38

T h e pu r s e s e i n e s e t s a rou n d a
s c h o o l of sard i nes.

AT L A N T I C M E N HA D E N or Mossbunker is a n i m por
tant commercial fi s h , though rarely used a s food . Oil
from them i s u sed i n chem ical i n d u stries; Menhaden fi sh
mea l g oes i nto many prepared foods for a n i ma l s . Men
haden a re open-water fish fou n d all a l ong the Atlanti c .
Though common, n o t m u c h is known about them . Most
a re caught i n the fa l l when l a rge schoo l s move south
ward , to return again the next spring . The schoo l s swi m
close t o the surface a n d a r e recog n i zed at a d i stance by
the g u l l s hovering a bove and feed ing o n them . large
n u m bers of young fi nd the i r way i nto bays a n d i n l ets,
where they feed and g row up to 5 or 6 in. the fi rst yea r.
I n three yea rs the Menhaden a re mature . By that time
they a re 8 to 1 0 in. long a n d weigh V 2 l b . They occasion
a l l y g row u p to 1 8 in. The G u l f Menhaden i s very s i m i lar.

T h e s e i n e i s s hut a n d m o s t of t h e
net haul ed aboa rd .

F i s h are ba iled out . P a r t of the

s e i n e rema i n s i n t h e water.

39

H E R R I N G are more fa mous i n Europe than i n this coun

try, yet are i mportant food fi sh of o u r At lantic and
Pacific fi sheries . The At lantic and Pac ific Herring are
different subspecies, but q u i te simi l a r i n a p pearance and
habits . Both l ive i n l a rge schoo l s , feed i n g o n p l a nkto n .
I n fa l l they m ove towa rd shore to spaw n ; females lay
about 30, 000 eggs each . The young stay near shore
a n d , i n N ew Eng l a n d , are caught i n weirs at t h i s period .
Young Herring form the New Eng land "sard i ne" catc h .
Herring mature i n th ree yea rs and are then about 1 0 i n .
l o n g ; they may g row u p t o 1 8 i n . A n u m ber o f other
members of the herring fami ly i n c l ude the G i zzard Shad
(with a toug h , muscu lar stomach) and the Th read Her
ring, a more southern fi sh with a thread - l ike extension
of its d orsa l fi n , l ike the Ta rpon's .

40

ANCHOVIES ore sma l l fish, closely related to herring,

com mon a long both coasts. On the Atla ntic, the com
monest species rarely venture north of Cope Cod. An
chovies ore caught the entire length of our Pacific shore
line, but o re more plentiful to the south. Not very much
is known a bout their habits, but the Pacific species is nu
merous and is a commercia l fishing resource. Anchovies
ore gregarious, often travel ing in Iorge schools.
The characteristics of the family include abdominal
pelvic fi ns and a single sma l l dorsa l fi n . Anchovies lock
sca les on their heads and do not hove a l atera l l ine. The
lower jaw is d istinctive.
Bay Anchovy of the Atla ntic (3 to 4 in. long) has a

Iorge, ga ping mouth. Note its Iorge scales a n d deeply

forked toi l .

Northern Anchovy

N orthern Anchovy, a common a n d abundant Pacific

species, is larger (up to 9 in.). It spawns throug hout the
yea r. One form l ives in brackish water. Anchovies feed
on copepods and other plankton. They o re, in turn, food
for many pelagic or open-sea fishes.
41

SALMON a n d trout form a family renowned as food and

game fish. The Pacific sa lmon (at least six species) are
best known, being the basis of a 38-mil lion-do l l a r
industry. Mature ma les differ from other s a l m o n a n d trout
in having both jaws hooked. All have a large n u mber of
rays ( 1 4 to 1 7) in the a n a l fi n. Sa lmon have an extra fatty
(adipose) fin on the back near the ta il. Pacific sa lmon
breed in rivers; young return to the sea to mature. The
a n n u a l runs of breeding sa lmon at the mouths of streams
cl imax a most unusual migration cycle.

C H I NOOK or King S a l m on is th e
la rgest salmon, reaching 100 lb.
a n d avera g i n g about 25. Fou n d
north from Mon terey Bay, it mi
grates fa r u p the la rger rivers ta
breed, mainly in spring or fa l l .
T h e Chi n ook, l i k e others, varies i n
color with age, sex, a n d season .
CHUM or Dog Salmon, smaller

than Chinook, has a Ianger h ead.

I t spawns closer to the mouths of
rivers and so has not been too
badly affected by da ms. Length,
about 18 in.; weight, 10 to 20
lb. Occurs n orth af Sacra mento
River to Alaska.

PINK or Humpback Salmon may

be fou n d farther south tha n

others. I ts m i g ration i s short;
spawn i n g is done with i n a few
m i l es u pstrea m . Th i s p i n k-fleshed
salmon is one of th e s m a l ler spe
cies (5 to 7 l b . ). The m a l e, before
spawn ing, d evelops a h u m p on its
back and twisted haoked jaws.
COHO or Si lver S a l m on is a n
other smal ler species ( 5 t o 8 l b .)
fou n d from Monterey n orth, a n d
com m on arou n d Pug et Sou n d . I t
does not spawn as f a r upstream
as the Chi n ook. The silvery m a l es
become red in spawn i n g season.

43

S O C K E Y E or Red Sa l m o n is p r i zed for its

deep red flesh of excel lent flavor. Found north
of Monterey, it is a smaller sa l m o n , avera g i ng
5 to 6 1b. , occasiona lly twice that. It has been
introduced into New England and has a l so
become a land locked species in a few lakes .
The Sockeye i l l u strates the rema rkable color
change the male undergoes during the breed
ing seaso n . The adults die after spawn ing far
u pstream . The fertili zed eggs, after passing
through va rious stages s i m i l a r to thdse i l l us
trated below, develop i nto fi ngerlings, which
fi nd the i r way to the sea .

egg

Alevin: just
hatched; after

5 Ia 6 months

DEVELOPMENT OF ATLANTIC SALMON

Alevin: yolk sac ie

absorbed in about

6 weeks

Parr: feeds and swims

freely-about

2 years

Parr becomes smolt as it

begins journey ta the sea

AT L A N T I C S A L M O N , to some peo p l e , is the game

fi s h . Once c o m m o n i n N ew England strea m s , it has re

treated before d a m s and water p o l l u ti o n . Usua l l y a
good-si zed fi sh (average 8 to 1 2 l b . ) , it may exceed 50
lb. After two to four years at sea , a n Atlantic S a l m o n
returns to the rivers to s p a w n , but d o e s not necessa r i l y
d i e l i ke the P a cific sa l mon. I t spawns i n fa l l , with eggs
hatching the fo l l owing spri ng . The Sebag o S a l m o n i s a
sma l l er, l a n d - l ocked form of the Atl a n t i c Sa l m on; it
spawns i n the tributary strea ms of N ew E n g l a n d l a kes .

CUTT H ROAT TROUT varies

and

calar.

gamy

in size
western

fish, it sometimes migrates Ia sea .

Averages 9 i n .

45

TROUT, close relatives of sa lmon, genera l l y prefer fresh

water. Severa l species return to the sea, a n d then their

a ppea rance often changes, ca using sportsmen endless
confusion. The Brown Trout introduced from Europe does
better in warmer waters than our native species (below).
It is marked with large, light-bordered red spots; often
weighs 5 lb. Our native trout req uire colder water, espe
cia l ly for spawn ing. They feed on insects, crustaceans,
and sma l ler fish. Trout are often raised in hatcheries and
released in suitable fishing waters.
RAINBOW TROUT is a western

species with m a n y local forms.

Tra nsferred widely to colder east
ern stream s a n d la kes, where it
d oes well. "Steelheads" are Rai n
bows w h i c h g o to sea. These la rge
trout averag e 2 to 5 lb., may oc
casionally reach 40 l b .
DOLLY VARDEN i s a n other west

ern trout which may take to the

sea . This one is a voracious feed
er on you n g trout a n d so has a
m ixed reputation. Dolly Vardens
a re h a rdy and still plentiful. Like
Brook Trout, they have lig h t
stripes on the lower fi ns.

BROOK TROUT is a n eastern

trout that has been i n trod uced i nto
western streams. It is smaller t h a n
the Dolly Ya rde n b u t oth erwise
l ooks similar. Markings m ore mot
tled; fins have wh ite edges.
Weight about 2 lb., ra rely u p to
10. Thrives i n water below 50 F.
LAKE TROUT a r e cold-water fish
of larger, deep la kes i n northern
U.S. and Ca nada; a com merci a l
food fi sh i n the G reat Lakes a n d a
g a m e fish everywhere. Prefer
deep water in s u m m er, sha llow
water in fa l l. They are the largest
trout, average 6 lb.

Ch ief Needaba h

46

Bob Wil son

Range of
Lake W h i tefi s h

T H E W H I T E F I S H FAM I LY i n c l udes our most i m portant

inland food fi shes of northern waters . They are related

to the sa l mo n but have la rger sca les and s m a l l e r mouths,
with few or n o teeth . like sa l m o n , they have a n a d i pose
fi n near the ta i l . Most are lake fi sh . The various members
of t h i s fa m i ly a re not easy to d i st i n g u i s h without deta i l ed
study of nostr i l s , teeth, and g i l l ra kers .
La ke W h i tefi s h are fa i r l y large, avera g i n g 2 2 i n .
a n d 3 V2 l b . ; a few have reached 2 0 l b . or more . The
largest a re i n lake Superi or, but whitefi s h are found in
a l l the Great lakes and have been tra n s p l a nted to other
deep northern ones . la ke Whitefi sh feed o n aquatic
i nsects and crustacea n s . They prefer deep water except
when spawn i n g i n fa l l . The supply of these Whitefi sh i s
bad ly depleted and the spec ies i s threatened .

48

C I SC O or L A K E H E R R I N G is not a
true herring but a whitefi s h . It
lives i n large schools near the sur
face, but often goes down a hun
dred feet or more. I n early winter
this C i sco comes c l ose to shore to
spawn . The fema l e lays her eggs
on the bottom i n water 25 ft. deep
or less . These C i scos feed on
plankton, s m a l l crustaceans, and
i nsect s . They grow to 1 2 in. long
a n d , next to the Lake Whitefi s h ,
are considered the best lake spe
cies for eating o r smoking.

not i n the
whitefi sh fam i l y, i s closely re
l ated . It i s marked by a long,
soft, dorsa l fi n . Although once
common i n the Great lakes, it
now thrives only i n the upper Mis
souri va lley.

A R C T I C GRAY L I N G ,

SHORTJAW C I SCOS are a l most

as i m portant i n commercial lake
fishing as S h a l l ow-water Ciscos,
which they closely resemble. They
too grow about 1 2 i n . long and
a r e a b u n d a n t in deep w a t e r s
(mainly about 1 80 f t . ) o f lake
Superior and other lakes . Food
l i ke that of the Lake Whitefi s h .
Spawns i n N ovember.
ROUND WHI T E F I SH o r P i l otfish
is a cl ose relative of the Lake
Whitefi sh but d i ffers from it in
having a rounder cross section and
a more deeply colored back. Its
weight averages from 3 to 4 lb.
Found i n all the Great lakes ex
cept Lake Erie, it ranges north
through the Canadian lakes and
i n New England . These once
common fish have now become
very scarce.

S M E LTS show thei r relationshi p to s a l m o n i n the short

a d i pose fi n near the tai l . However, they are much smal ler,
avera g i n g 7-9 i n . long ( rarely over 1 ft . ) a n d weigh i n g
a b o u t 6 o z . The American Smelt i s a s a lt-water fi s h ,
l i v i n g i n a n a rr ow b e l t c lose t o shore . I n s p r i n g it m oves
up r ivers to spawn . Those that have been transpla nted
i nto the Great Lakes and others m ove i nto strea m s for
spring spawni ng. At this time they are caught in g reat
n u m bers with nets, d i pnets, and hooks .

W h i teba i t S m e l t, o r Whiteba i t , i s the best known of

sever a l Pacific smelts found i n a bundance i n the waters

north of San Francisco . The C a n d l efis h , a very o i l y
species, was o n c e used by I n d i a n s as fue l . T h e Deep Sea
Smelt or Argentine, of a related fa m i l y, i s a s l ightly
l a rger fi sh with a sma l l e r mouth .

Hatchetfish

lanternfish

LANTERN F I S H a n d about a dozen other sma l l species

representing half a dozen families a l l possess luminescent
organs which make them shine in the dark. Most of these
are fish of the open ocean, l iving at moderate depths
about 500 ft. They are sometimes responsible for the
flashes of l i g ht one sees around and below ships at night.
(But many other kinds of luminescent animals l ive in the
sea besides these fish.) The Lanternfish is a bout 3 in. long;
other species are twice the size. They are found i n both
the Atlantic a n d the Pacific. So are the sma l l (up to 3 i n .)
Hatchetflsh; these thin, large-eyed fish have oversized
mouths and severa l rows of l ight organs. Other luminescent
fishes include the Viperfish and the Midshipman (p. 1 4 1 ).
Hatchetfish a n d lanternfish i n t h e black depths.

E E L S represent a l a rge and unusual order of fi shes,

i n c l u d i n g 1 3 fa m i l ies and a bout 1 40 N o rth American

spec i e s . Common characteristics are their snake l ike
shape, l a c k of spi nes i n the fi ns, and the absence of
ventra l fi n s . G i l l open ings are sma l l; and the tiny scales
when present are em bedded i n the s k i n a n d practica l l y
i nvi s i b l e .

t h e best known and one of the m o st myste

rious of fi shes . Its l ife h i stor y was pract i
ca l l y u n known t i l l the 20th centu ry, a n d
even n o w t h e story i s f a r fro m c o m p l ete .
Both the E u ro pea n and the American Eel
spawn i n the same deep waters south of
Bermud a . Mature a d u l ts come to this area
fro m both sides of the Atl a nti c . The females
are pro l i fic; each l ays about ten m i l l i o n
egg s . The a d u l ts proba b l y d i e a f t e r breed
i n g . The l a r v a e - s m a l l , fl a t t e n e d , a n d
tra n spa rent-beg i n t o m ove toward the i r
MOV E M E NTS O F E E L L A RVAE

52

home waters, and by the time they arrive

they have beg u n to change i nto typica l
ee l s . S k i n c o l o r deve lops a n d , about a yea r
after hatching, the young are ready t o move
up bays into rivers, where they l ive for
severa l years till they mature .
Co n g e r E e l is a l a rger species (4 to 7 f t .
l o n g and wei g h i n g u p to 25 l b . ) t h a n t h e
American E e l . F o r identification, note that
the Conger's upper jaw projects past the
l ower; the eye i s ova l; and the dorsa l fi n
beg i n s j u st about where the pectora l fi n
ends. Congers d o not enter fresh water.
Their breed i n g g round i s uncerta i n , but
young have been found i n the West I n d i e s .
Other American eels i n c l ude the tro p i c a l
Worm E e l s and t h e S n a k e E e l s ( a l so tro p i
ca l ) , s o m e of w h i c h a r e brightly col ored .
These occur o n the Pac ific coast a l so . Sev
era l other e l ongate fi shes, such a s the C ut
l a ssfi sh {page 1 ) not bel o n g ing to t h i s o r
der, are m i sta kenly ca l l ed eel s .

53

MORAYS are tropica l eels com

mon i n cora l reefs, occasiona l l y

occu rring as f a r n orth as New
Jersey. These thick-skinned eels do
not have paired fi ns. They have
strong jaws and sharp teeth, and
while not dangerous when u n dis
turbed, when cornered or caug ht
they ca n bite viciously, striking out
in snake fashion. Their bites may
leave jagged, but not poisonous,
wounds. Most feed at nig ht, prey
ing on sma l l fish. The Green Moray,
found from F lorida southward, owes
its color to a m ucus covering. The
skin itself is gray. Sometimes the
g reen is replaced by g ray or brown.
Length, u p to 6 ft.; weig ht, to 30 lb.
The Spotted Moray is sma l ler (3 ft.),
more common, a n d variable in color
as shown i n the two speci mens here.

B UFFALOS introduce the sucker fa m i l y, a group of

fresh-water bottom feeders. Of about 1 00 kinds of
suckers, m a n y are food fish. Buffa los are la rge, coarse,
and somewhat bony suckers, common i n rivers a n d lakes
a l l through the centra l states, where they ra n k highest
among the commercia l species. look for them in q uiet
or sluggish water, where they feed on mol l usks, aq uatic
insect larvae, and water pla nts. The Big mouth Buffa lo
may grow u p to 4 ft. long, weig hing 65 lb., but is usu
a l ly much s m a l ler. It spawns from Apri l to June i n sha l
low water; eggs hatch in a bout 1 0 days. T h e mouth is
directed forward rather than down, u n l ike the mouths
in other buffa los. The Sma l l mouth Buffa lo is a sma l ler
fish rarely reaching 20 lb. The Black Buffa lo is an inter
mediate species, as regards both position of mouth a n d
depth o f body.
top: Smallmouth Buffalo

OT H E R S U C K E R S are widespread i n r ivers a n d l a kes

of the Mississippi ba s i n . Some a re commerc i a l food fis h ;

some a re so easily c a u g h t t h a t ever y c h i l d k n ows them .

H OG S U C K E R g rows to 2 f t . but
i s usually smal ler. Often seen
grubbing through pebbles, with
its snout protruded, probing for
bottom life . Prefers clear, fost
strea m s . Found from Alabama
and Oklahoma northward to New
York and Minnesota .

though bony,
are netted as food fish because
of their fi r m , sweet flesh . They
a re va riable in color; fins become
red i n spring and males become
da rker then, a s these fish enter
small creeks to spawn . length: up
to 20 i n .

W H I T E S U C K E R S,

Shorthead Redhorse

a n d R iver C a r p
sucker a r e both called American
Carp, though neither is rel ated
to the carp (p. 5 7 ) . Both are wel l
known native suckers, often net
ted i n lakes and rivers. Q u i l l
b a c k s run to 5 or 6 l b .
Q U I L L BACK

56

S HORT H E A D R E D H O R S E i s one of
a group of suckers with reddish
fi ns; the dorsal is short. I t i s one
of the tastiest suckers, g rowing
to 2 f t . ; we ighs 8 to 1 0 lb. Red
horses are coarse-scaled; prefer
clear streams and lakes.

CARP are the largest m i n nows-a big fam i l y ( p. 58) in

c l uding over 300 America n species, ma i n l y sma l l, fresh

water fishes. The term "min now" is loosel y used for many
smal l fishes. True minnows (fa m i ly Cyprinidae) are soft
rayed fishes with teeth i n the throat on ly. Carp were
brought to Europe from Asia and from Europe to America
i n the 1 870's and '80's. Widely tra nspla nted, they are
now found from coast to coast in lakes and slow streams.
Carp are bottom feeders, often m uddying the water
so much that aq uatic pla nts can not grow. However, Carp
are here to stay and have proved a valuable com mercia l
fish. They are occasion a l l y hooked, with doug h b a l l s as
the favorite ba it, but more often are netted. They grow
up to 3 ft. long, weig hing 20 lb. or more. Young g row
rapidly. Most Carp a re sca led, but Mirror Ca rp have only
a few larg e scattered sca les, and Leather Carp have no
sca les at a l l . The goldfish ra ised in aq uaria and ponds
are very sim ilar to Carp and are of the same family.

REDSIDE DACE (4 in.) occu rs

in the northeast a n d in cle a r

midwest creeks. Males i n
spring h ave crimson sides.

MI N N OWS, other than Carp (p. 57), are m a i n l y sma l l

fish, a n d while a few grow large enough to b e used for
food, most play a more indirect role as far as man is
concerned. They are a favorite bait fish, and sel ling them
is a sizable industry. More im portant in the long run is
the natura l role of minnows as consumers of aquatic in
sects and crustacea, and as food for larger, more va l u
able fish. Minnows, a n d similar sma l l fishes, help main
tain a plentifu l supply of sport fish. They a re a n essential
l i n k in the cycle of fresh-water aq uatic l ife.
CREEK CHUB is a la rge m i n now
(to 12 i n .) with a black spot on the
front of its dorsal fin. In spring,
tubercules develop on the head.
Found widely in small strea ms; oc
casionally i n l akes. Male bu ilds
g ravel nest for fertilized eggs. A
good sports fish when trout a re
sca rce.

58

GOLDEN S H INER is golden d u r

ing the b reeding season; other

wise the back is g reenish a n d
o n ly t h e sides h ave a trace of
gold. Th is h a rdy fish seems better
a ble than others to su rvive in
small ponds d u ring wi nter, when
the oxygen content of the water is
low. length : 5 in., rarely u p to 1 2.

T H I C K TA I L o r S A C R A M E N TO
C H U B is abundant in the rivers of

the Ca lifornia Va lley. It is one of

a few members of the minnow
family to be found in the Pacific
drainage. Note the dark spots on
the scales. Its color is usually a
dull brown . Length: up to 1 2 in .
E M E RALD S H I N E R , a very com
mon species in lakes and clear
streams, is named for its g reenish
back . The Emerald Shiner shows
a preference for lakes. Large
schools of young are often seen.
Widely distributed through the
Mississippi Va lley and north into
Canada .

DAC E S i n c l u d e a
northern and a southern species
with very similar markings. The
para llel back stripes are charac
teristic . Males are brightly col
ored; bel lies are scarlet in the
spring, otherwise silvery. Length
3 to 4 in.
R E D B E L LY

CUTUPS M I N NOW is most com

mon in eastern streams and riv
ers. Named for the mouth and
jaw structure, which can be seen
only when the fish is turned over.
It has a blackish bar behind the
gill covers. Grows up to nearly 6
in. long.

u nderside
of jaw

CATF I S H E S are best known as warm-water, fresh-water

fi shes. H owever, t h i s l a rge group (over 30 species) i n
cl udes t h e b u l l heads ( p . 6 2 ) and t h e Ha rdhead Catfish
( p . 6 3 ) . Catfishes rank second o n l y to buffa l o s as fresh
water commercial fi shes . If combi ned with b u l l heads they
are first. E u ropean Catfish, 1 2 ft. l o n g , have been re
ported . Catfi shes take a wide var i et y of food , i n c l u d i n g
c l a m s , i nsect l a rvae , and crustacea n s . T h e y are a l so
scavengers . Some l ive in muddy waters where other
fi shes d o not l ive . Catfi shes a re taken o n l i nes o r in hoop
nets a s a bove .
large-si zed catfi s h a re ed i b l e a n d tasty. A l l have
smooth , sca leless bodies, long barbe l s a round the mouth,
and spi nes i n the dorsal and pectora l fi ns which a re
i rr i tati ng and perhaps poisono u s . N one is found i n the
Pacific Coast states except the White Catfi s h , i ntro
duced i nto C a l iforn i a .
C h a n n e l C a tfi s h , with deeply forked ta i l and fa i r l y
s l e n d e r body, i s probably best known . I t prefers clear,
mov i n g water ; can weigh up to 20 l b . , usua l l y 3 o r 4 .

BRINDLED MADTOM is a very s m a l l (3 to 4

i n . ) ca tfish fou n d widely in swift streams. I t
is o n e o f severa l mailer species. Madtams
a re sometimes used as bait.

STONECAT is a s m a l l fish ( 10 i n . ) s i m i l a r to
B u l l h ea d s, but with a d i p ose fin conti n u ou s
with ta i l . A yel l owishbrown species o f clea r
water, fou n d u nder logs a n d stones.

FLATHEAD CATF I S H , true to its n a m e, h a s

a b r o a d , flattened h ea d with protruding

l ower jaw. len g th to 5 ft.; wei g h t to 50 l b . or
m ore. Mottled yel low a n d brown pattern .

BLUE CATF I S H is t h e largest catfish i n th e

Mississi ppi draina g e; it can wei g h over 150
l b . Note b l u egray back a n d silvery belly.
Fi ne eatin g .

61

B U L L H EADS are sma l l catfish which rarely grow over

a foot long or weigh over 2 lb. They l ive in muddy ponds
a n d streams and may survive in the mud when ponds "dry
up." They feed on a l most any kind of plant a n d animal
life they fi nd a long the bottom. Much of their food is
snails, crayfish, and insects. B u l l heads are good eating,
thoug h the flesh may have a m uddy flavor. They spawn in
spring, making a nest on the hard bottom . The m a l e
watches t h e nest and guards t h e young. B u l l heads have
a sq uare or slig htly rounded ta il, and are often mottled
yel lowish in color. Three species, common in centra l a n d
eastern waters, a r e shown above.

62

MARI N E C AT FI S H E S a re common i n bays a n d ha rbors

a l ong the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in summer. They
winter in deeper water. These southern species a re usu
a l l y found south of Virg i n i a and the C a r o l i n a s , rarely
north to C a pe C od . The Gafftopsa i l Catfish i s n amed for
its l o n g , ribbo n l ike pectoral and dorsa l fin s . It has two
barbe l s on the l ower jaw. Length, to 2 ft. ; weight, 3 to
4 l b . The H a rd head Catfish i s sma l l er, and is considered
a "trash" fis h .
Both these {;atfish put a n unusua l burden on t h e m a l e
during breed i n g . T h e m a l e carries the ferti l i zed eggs i n
h i s mouth for about two months, going without food until
wel l after they hatc h , a s the young continue to stay in
this curious nest .

mouth f ull of eggs

mouth f ull of young

63

P I K E , P I C K E R E L , a n d M U S K E L LU N G E for m a sma l l
but fa mous g roup o f l o n g , t h i n fi shes. A l l have s p i n eless
dorsa l fi ns and l a rge ana l fi ns; long, narrow j aws with
sharp teeth . They eat sma l l fi shes and c rayfi s h . F ive
species occur in l a kes and streams of centra l a n d eastern
state s . Most are val ued as game fi sh and are caught by
tro l l i ng or casti n g , with spoons or spinners. They are
good eat i n g , though somewhat bony.
N o r t h e r n P i ke can be recog n i zed by their sca l i n g ,
which covers the enti rety o f t h e cheeks b u t o n l y the upper
half of the g i l l covers . It is caught commerci a l ly, but is
much m o re i m po r tant as a game fi s h . Sportsmen try for
it with flashy l u res or l ive m i n n ows .
M u s ke l l u n ge is the la rgest p i k e . Though not much

l a rger t h a n the N o r thern P i ke , i t i s considered a fiercer

fighter a nd a better game fi s h . Lower cheeks and l owe r
g i l l covers lack sca l e s . Body markings show reg iona l
va riations i n the pattern of the dark spots o r ba r s .
G r a s s P i c ke r e l ( Redfi n P i ckere l ) i s sma l ler and h a s

cheeks a n d g i l l covers comp l etely sca l ed . It i s the com

monest pickerel of sma l l strea ms i n the Mississippi Va l
l ey. T h e eastern for m , Ma i ne to Alabama, w i t h a shorter
snout, i s ca l l ed the Red fi n P ickere l .
C h a i n P i c ke re l , often found with bass i n sha l l ow

l a kes a n d c lear strea m s , has cheeks and g i l l covers

completely sca led . Occurs from N ew E n g l a n d south to
F l orida and Texa s .
64

1 to 4 V2 ft. ,
1 0 to 35 l b . Va riable mark
ings. N o r thern strea m s and
lakes.

NORT H E R N P I K E ,

M U S K E L L U N G E , 2 to 7 ft . ; 1 0
to 20 lb. , rarely to 60 l b .
N orthern strea m s and lakes.
Long-lived-to 1 0 yea r s .

1 ft . ; wt.
to about 1 l b . Strea m s and
ponds, Maine to Alabama .

GRASS PICKEREL,

2 to 4 f t . ,
1 0 lb. and more; Ea stern and
Gulf drainage stream s .

CHAIN PICKEREL,

BANDED KILLIFISH, 3 to 4 in.

Common in northern part of Mis

sissippi basin.

SHEEPSHEAD MINNOW, 3 in.

heavier fish, which feeds mainly

on aquatic animals.

2 in. The male

Gambusia is much smaller than

MOSQUITOFISH,

the female.

KILLIFISH a n d Topm innows a re often c a l led minnows,

but the term is more correctly used for smal ler relatives
of the ca rp (pp.

57-59). K i l l ifish are sma l l (2 to 4 i n . ) with

long, somewhat com pressed bod ies, sma l l mouths, a n d

projecting lower jaws. Tails are not forked; sca les are
large. These fish l ive in ponds, streams, d itches, and sa lt
marshes throughout the Un ited States, feeding on insect
larvae, crustacea ns, a n d sma l l water plants. Some feed
on wrigg lers and a re therefore of va lue in mosquito con
tro l . Mosq uitofish

(Gambusia) retain eggs in their bodies

and bear their young a l ive. Ma ny species breed through

out the sum mer.

MUMMICHOG, 5 in. Common in

eastern coastal streams, marshes,
and tide pools.

1 2 to 20 i n . ,
of southern waters. A similar species
lives in California waters.

ATLANTIC N E E D L E F I S H ,

N E E D L E F I S H E S and H A L F B EAKS a re m a r i ne fi shes

c l osely related to the fl yingfishes (pp. 68-69) . N ote the
s i m i l a r u n b a l a nced ta i l s , l o nger at the botto m . A l l spe
cies l ive i n warmer wate r s . N eed lefi sh have long bod i e s
and v e r y l o n g , toothed jaws . They l ive at the s u rface
and there feed o n s ma l l fi s h . Some spec ies g row to

5 ft . ,

as the H o u ndfi s h of -f l o r i d a waters . Ha lfbea k s , a s thei r

name i n d i cates, have o n l y the l ower jaws extended .
These sma l l e r fi shes rarely g row to 2 f t . l o n g ; they prefe r
even wa rmer waters than need lefishes . Other species of
need lefi shes and ha lfbea k s occur, but not too c o m m o n l y,
i n waters off southern C a l iforn i a .

HALF B EAK, about 1 2 in . , o f south

Atlantic shores . The Bal lyhoo is simi
lar but has a ta i l shaped more like
that of the N eedlefish.

67

F LY I N G F I S H E S a re ocea nic species often seen skitter

ing near boats . They l eave the water primarily to escape
from l a rger fi shes such a s tunas and ma ckere l s , which
feed on them m a i n ly. The F lyi ngfish does not actua l l y fl y.
It taxis a l ong the surface, vibrating its ta i l in the water;
then it uses the wing l i ke fi ns to g l i d e u pwa rd , dropping
down when momentum is exhausted . Often it takes to
the air a second or third time without re-entering the
water. Some species have the two pectora l fi ns e n l a rged ;
others have both pectora l and pelvic fi ns deve l o ped for
"flig ht . " The former a re known as Two-winged , the lat
ter a s Four-winged , F lyi ngfishes . A l l species frequent
wa rmer sea s , but may appear h a l fway u p o u r Atlantic
and Pacific coa sts . They deposit eggs, covered with long
s i l k y threa d s , i n k e l p beds , or attach them to any float
ing object.
The At lantic a nd the Marg i ned are two of the best
known Atlcmtic species . The C a l ifornia F lyingfish i s s i m
i l a r to these . The B l ackwing F l yi ngfish (reported to "fl y"
500 ft. or more) i s found in both the Atlantic and Pacifi c .
Severa l species have barbe l s when i m mature b u t a l l l ose
them before maturity. Most spec ies average 7 to 1 2 i n .
i n lengt h .

68

Margined Flyingfish
(young)

69

Massachusetts' "Sacred Cod"

AT L A N T I C C O D sti m u lated the settlement of N ew E ng

l a n d , fostered s h i pbui l d i n g , and had o t h e r i nfl uences o n

early A m e r i c a n h i story. I n testi mony of t h i s , a l a rge
g i lded pine Codfi s h was hung in the Ma ssachusetts State
H ouse i n 1 784 and i s sti l l there .
W h i l e Cod wei g h i n g up to 200 l b . have been ta ken,
they average 1 0 to 25 lb. About 83 m i l l ion pounds of
Cod a re caught a n n u a l ly. Cod feed mainly on m o l l usks,
crabs, starfi s h , worms, sq u i d , and sma l l fis h . Some Cod
m i g rate south i n wi nter and spawn at that t i m e ; others
move to deeper water. Large fem a l es produce three to
five m i l l i o n egg s . Sma l l Cod , prepa red i n strips for
cook i n g , i s ca l l ed Scrod .
The Pacific C o d , caught from Oregon north, h a s be
come more i mportant than the Atlantic Cod . In 1 950,
Pacific catches were too insign ificant to be l i sted . In
1 98 5 , more than 1 20 m i l l ion pounds of Pacific Cod were
take n , compa red to the 83 m i l l ion for the Atl a n t i c .
The Burbot, the o n l y fresh-water member of the C o d
fa m i l y, i s fou n d i n northern stream s and l a kes, often i n
deep water. A s i n g l e barbel on the c h i n creates the
m i staken idea that it i s a
catfi s h . The Burbot i s a
food fi s h , often caught i n
tra p s .

70

green phase

egg hatches in 10-40 days

DEVELOPMENT STAGES
OF THE COD
young-4-6 months old

71

AT L A N T I C TOM C O D a n d P O L L O C K are both i n the

Cod fa m i ly. The To mcod i s sma l l , rarely over 1 5 i n . l o n g ,

1 to 1 V2 l b . , a n d l ooks much l i ke a young Atlantic C o d
( p . 7 1 ) . N ote t h a t the tip o f t h e ventra l fi n i s l o ng and
ta per i n g . living c l ose to shore, Tomcod feed o n crusta
cea ns and sma l l fi s h . They are often caught i n bays and
occa s i ona l l y in strea m s . Tomcods are good eating but
not i m po r ta n t a s food fi sh . C o l o r i s va r i a b l e , usua l l y
d u l l g reen a bove , white or ye l l owish be l ow. Pacifi c Tom
cod a re t a k e n i n sma l l n u m bers n o r t h of San Fra ncisco .
The Atl a n t i c P o l l ock is a cool -water fi sh found on both
sides of the N orth At lanti c . It g rows to 3 f t . , wei g h i ng
up to 30 l b . Over 40 m i l l io n pounds are caught a n n u a l ly,
c h i efly i n otter trawls s i m i l a r to the k i n d i l l ustrated at
the bottom of p . 74 . The s i m i l a r Wa l l eye P o l l oc k , found
ch iefly i n Alaska, was of neg l ig i b l e i m porta nce i n 1 950.
Si nce the remarka b l e deve lopment of the Alaskan fi sh
ery, the take of the Wa l leye P o l l ock has increased to 93
m i l l i o n pounds, more than d o u b l i n g that of its Atlantic
relative .

Atlantic
Pollock

H A D D O C K , 30 yea rs a g o ,
was the top-ra n k i n g food
fis h . I t has d ropped drastiGeorge s
c a l l y, fr o m 1 00 m i l l i o n
pounds to 2 6 m i l l i o n pounds
taken a n n u a l ly-mostly m a r
keted as frozen fi s h . F i n n a n
N antucket
h a d d i e i s a l i g h t l y smoked
Haddoc k . On the Georges
N e w England fishing banks
and other ba n k s , Haddock
are more p l entiful than C od . They l ive in deeper water
than Cod, though rarely deeper than 1 00 fathoms (600
ft . ) . Haddock a re strictly bottom feeders, ta k i ng m a n y
ki nds of m o l l usks, sma l l c r a b s , w o r m s , a n d o t h e r i nver
tebrates. They are found a lso i n colder E u ropean waters .
Haddock is d i st i n g u i shed fro m Cod by having a black
l atera l line, a n d a dark patch on each s i d e above the
pectora l fi n . It i s sma l ler than Cod but l a rger than Tom
cod . I t occa s i o n a l l y reaches 35 i n . , wei g h s u p to 30 l b .
Haddock mature when 3 t o 4 yea rs o l d .

LI NGS and HAKES a re Cod - l ike fishes, of considerable

im porta nce in commercial fisheries. The Si lver Hake, also
known as Wh iting, lacks the chin barbels of the true hokes
or lings. It a lso has larger sca les. This s lender fish is a
swift, strong swimmer which preys on shrimp a n d smal ler
fish. It is fou n d at all depths down to about

300 fathoms

but prefers somewhat warmer water than the Cod. With

the advent of q uick-freezing it has become an im porta nt
food fish. The Si lver Hake spawns in sum mer; the tra ns
parent eggs hatch in about 2 days. Ad u lts mature in
years and rarely g row more than 2 ft. long, weig hing
lb. (average

3
5

1 to 2 lb.). large runs occur in spring and

fa l l . A close relative is common i n the deeper waters of

the Gu lf of Mexico.
The lings include severa l very similar species. All are
more slender than Cod and have two dorsa l fi ns, one short

6.

and the other l o n g . The ta i l is weak a n d rounded . A l l

a r e bottom fi s h , feed i n g o n crustacean s a n d s m a l l fis h ,
b u t n o t o n m o l l u s k s . They are n i g h t feeders a n d may be
caught by l i ne , though most of the commercial catch i s
made with otter traw l s .
White H a k e o r M u d H a k e , t h e l a rgest species, gets t o
b e 4 f t . l o n g ; weight to 40 l b . ; average a b o u t 8 l b . I t s
l a r g e m o u t h extends b a c k beyond t h e eye s .
T h e Squ i rrel or R e d H a k e (or l i n g ) i s s m a l l e r t h a n the
others, averag i ng 1 to 3 l b . , but i s otherwise very s i m i l a r
to t h e W h i te H a k e . I t s m o u t h , s l ightly s m a l ler, extends
o n l y a s far back a s the p u p i l of the eye .
Southern H a k e , or F lor1
ida l i n g , i s sti l l s m a l ler
usua l l y less than 1 f t . l o n g .
It l ives at m ed i u m depths
but comes i nshore d u r i n g
c o l d weather.
White Hake

Red Hake

H OGC HOKER or Broad Sole is one

of a group of smaller flatfi shes
( p . 78) which i n c l ude the Euro
pean species that provides filet of
sole. I n the U n i ted States we get
filet of sole from flounders.

Soles prefer warm , shal low water

with a sandy or muddy botto m .
Several Atlantic a n d one Pacifi c
species occur.

F L AT F I S H
F L AT F I S H E S form a u n i q u e and widespread group that

i n c l udes about 1 30 American species, common i n both

At lantic and Pacifi c . Some are va l u a b l e food fi s h ; some
a re pri zed by sportsme n ; all have deve l o ped a most
u n u s u a l body form adapted to l ife o n the botto m . As
shown below, the transparent la rvae soon change i n
for m , a n d t h e eyes m i g rate t o o n e s i d e o f t h e head
(either l eft o r right, depend ing o n the species) . The
bottom side of the flatfish i s white or pa l e ; the top side
va ries i n color, and a l l species can a d j ust their c o l o r and
pattern to the bottom on which they live . All have a
s i n g l e long dorsa l and a n a l fi n , without spines.
There are two groups of flatfi s hes . The Soles have
sma l l eyes, p l aced c l ose together, and a sma l l twisted
mouth with few or no teeth . They a re genera l l y s m a l l e r
fi s h . The F l o u nders are a much l a rger group a n d i n c l ude
the F l ounders, F l u kes, H a l i buts, Tu rbots, and Dabs . De
tailed identification may be d i ffi c u l t ; i t depends on num
ber of rays i n fi ns, n u m ber of gill rakers, and other
characteristics not ea s i l y observed .
egg

76

larva
newly hatched

(right), a
northern fish, prefers muddy bot
toms in cold, shallow water. I t
breeds in winter. I t i s un usual i n
that t h e female h a s smoother
scales and shorter pectoral fi n s
t h a n t h e m a l e . Note t h e straight
latera l line and the smooth area
between the eyes.

SMOOTH FLOUNDER

PLAICE, or Sand
Dab (left), is common at 20 to
100 fathoms an muddy or sa ndy
bottoms. Up to 6 million lb. are
taken annually. length to 30 i n .
(average, 18 i n . ) , weight, t o 1 4
l b . (average, 7 l b . ) . Feeds on sea
urchins, sand dollars, and other
bottom-dwellers.

AMERICAN

is an im
porta nt food and game fish.
large numbers are caught by
trawls. Ang lers get them near
shore during summer. In winter,
the fish seek deeper water to
spawn. The Summer Flou nder,
which is found from Maine to
South Carolina, is similar i n ap
pearance and habits.

SOUTHERN FLOUNDER

swims on one side-eyes on the other

swims u pright-eye on each side

77

mon and abundant Pacific flat

fish fou n d from mid-C a l ifornia
north to Alaska a n d west to Asia.
One of the most attractive floun
ders, it is as good eating as its
drabber relatives. Feeds mainly
on worms a n d crustaceans; weight
u p to 15 o r 20 lb.

may
HALIBUT
g row 3 ft. lang and up to 60 l b .,
thoug h the average size is much
smaller. Note the small eyes, sep
a rated by a large flat area. The
lateral line swings into a h i g h arch
near the pectoral fi n s. Found a l l
year, b u t m ai n ly i n spring, from
San Frcncisco south.

H A LI B U T, l a r g e,
large-mouthed flatfish marked by
a concave tai l, a re northern fish
but avoid very cold water. They
feed mainly on other fish. Halibut

may run from 400 to 600 lb. and

to over 8 ft. Mo re usual are those
of 20 to 1 00 l b . which a re caught
offshore at 100 to 400 fathoms.
Pacific Halibut are very similar.

STARRY FLOUNDER is a com

A T LA N T I C

78

CALIFORN IA

STI C K L E BAC KS are a fa m i l y of sma l l fi shes, d i st r i b

u t e d widely around the world i n n o r t h e r n wate r s . Some
are fresh-water, some m a r i n e , and some are a t h o m e in
e i ther element. S t i c k l ebacks range from

1 V2 to 4 i n .

l o n g . They feed o n fi sh eggs, l a rvae a n d sma l l crusta

cea n s . I n spring a n d s u m mer, when they spawn , the m a l e
i s brightly c o l ored and v e r y jea l o u s . F i ghts between
m a l e s are c o m m o n . E a c h m a l e b u i l d s a round nest of
water plants h e l d together by mucus t h read s . I n i t , sev
eral fem a l e s in success i o n may deposit t h e i r egg s . These
are g u a rded by the m a l e , who a l so protects the young
after they hatch- i n about

1 0 days .

The Brook S t i c k l e back is a fresh-water spec ies found

i n northern l a kes and strea m s . I t i s identified by

5 or 6

spines in front of the dorsa l fi n . The N i nespine Stickle

ba c k , of both fresh and brackish water, i s s i m i l a r, but
with more s p i nes o n the ba c k . The Threes p i n e Stickle
ba c k , of s i m i l a r habitat, i s a l so found i n E u ro p e . The
male b u i l d s a nest using a sticky skin secret i o n and bits
of vegeta ti o n .

SEAHORSES a n d PI PE
F I S H a r e s u c h o d d crea

tures that often people do

not recognize them as fishes.
Some l ive i n sha l l ow water,
where they are often taken
by s h r i m p trawlers . All feed
on m i nute o rg a n i s m s . The
smal lest species a re less than
2 i n . l o n g ; the l a rgest, 7 or
8 i n . A l l are southern fi s h ,
sometimes f o u n d n o r t h t o
C a p e Cod . Sea horses, cov
ered with t h i n bony plates,
swi m upright . Thei r g i l l s a re
sma l l ; the g i l l open i n g i s a
pore . The fema l e sea horses
and pi pefi s h deposit their
eggs i n a pouch on the un
derside of the m a l e . Here
they rem a i n until they hatch
as m i n i a ture a d u l t s . The pipe
fi sh are more fi s h l i ke but
have the same long snout
and the same breed i n g h a b
its as the sea horses . U s u a l l y
found i n sha l l ow water, they
a re 4 to 1 2 i n . l ong . About
fifty species are known .

Northern P i pefi s h

M U L L E T S a n d S I LV E RS I D E S introduce the spi ny

rayed fi shes, which i n c l ude most species through p . 1 3 1
and a few others . The m u l l ets a re b l unt-nosed , warm
water fi shes of both Atlantic and Pacifi c . They are c o m
mon i n sha l low water, w h e r e sma l l schoo l s may l e a p i n
unison when frightened . Mu l l ets feed o n aquatic p l a nts
and mud but they someti mes bite on d o u g h ba l l s . A good
food fis h , they are often netted and s m o ked . Of severa l
spec ies, the Stri ped Mul let is most c o m m o n ; it grows to
2 ft .
Silversides a r e shore fi s h , but much s m a l ler i n s i z e .
L i k e Mul l ets they have two dorsa l fi ns, but a l so a si lvery
stripe o n the side . The I n l a nd Si lverside (a c l ose relative
of the Pacific Whitebait) i s found from N ew E n g l a nd
south . It rarely g rows over 3 i n . long . The Brook S i lver
side is a s i m i l a r, fresh-water species .

CAL I FO R N I A G R U N I O N i s a l a rger and better known

relative of the s i lverside . This fi ne Pacifi c fis h , known

from Monterey south , comes to the beach d u r i n g the
h i g hest tides to s pawn and lay its eggs i n the sand . Such
times a re the occasions for a l l -n i g h t Grunion parties. As
the fi sh are cast ashore by the waves, they are g ra bbed
ba re-ha nded for cooking on the beach or l ater a t home .
These slender, silvery Grunions, mistakenly ca lled Smelts,
are 5 to 8 i n . long . Some a re caught commerc i a l l y i n
round-haul nets.
To ps m e l t and J a c k s m e l t are actua l l y si lversides,

not Smelts. They are caught a l ong the C a lifornia coast

and are c lose relatives of the Grunion . Jacksmelts a re
taken by a nglers and a l so form a major part of the
C a l i fornia "smelt" fisheries; length, 1 0 to 22 i n .

82

BAR RAC U DAS are the large, slender "tigers" of tropica l

seas, widely known because they are both ferocious and
excel lent food a n d game fishes. Barracudas strike at a ny
thing bright or movi ng. They may occur in sha l low water;
and the la rgest, the Great Barracuda, is often accused of
being dangerous to swim mers. Some evidence of this dan
ger has recently been confirmed, but the fact remains that
ba rracudas are much less da ngerous than sharks. The Great
Barracuda g rows to 1 0 ft. long, thoug h any over 5 ft. are
rare. The Pacific Barracuda is usually not over 4 ft. long
and weighs 10 to 1 2 lb. The Northern Barracuda and other
sma l ler species are not dangerous.
Barracuda feed on sma l ler fish. They are caught by
tro l l ing or with live ba it, and are a lso netted in com m er
cial fishing. They spawn in summer but may spawn twice
a year.
83

appears in
great schools from the Carolinas
nort h . The back has a dark, wavy
pattern; the undersides are pla in.
Average, 1 ft. long , 1 V2 l b . ; but
may atta i n twice t h i s length, and
up to 4 1 b .

ATLANTIC MAC K E R E L
M AC K E R E L ,
a nother
northern species i n both t h e At
lantic and Pacific, i s similar to
Atlantic Mackerel but with finer
pattern of markings on bac k.
Often found with Atlantic Mack
erel. length about 2 ft.

CHUB

S PAN I S H MAC K E R E L and its kin

are southern fishes with elongate
spiny dorsa l s . Spa n i s h , Pai nted ,
and Sierra Mackerels are spot
ted . All reach a maximum of 3 ft.
and 1 0 or 1 5 l b .

MAC K E R E L and their k i n are easily recog n i zed by thei r

deeply forked ta i l s , which na rrow greatly as they j o i n
t h e body. B o t h d orsa l and a n a l fi ns have sma l l fi n lets
beh i n d them; and fi n a l l y, the mackere l s a l l have a s l eek,
stream l i ned form with smooth, a l most scaleless skins. Their

84

KING MACKEREL or Cere is the

only member of the Spanish Mack
erel genus that lacks spots. Like
other mackerels, it feeds on sma l l
fish a n d squid. I t is fou n d north
Ia the C a rolinas. It can weigh u p
t o 60 l b .

WAHOO is a m ore sol ita ry mack

erel of the G u l f Strea m a n d wa rm
water reefs. Note long dors a l fin
and wavy bands, exten d i n g wel l
past the l a tera l l i ne. Averages 1 5
to 20 l b .-someti mes much la rger.

iridescence m a kes them more attractive than many other

species. These swift fishes usua lly travel i n schools, which
migrate widely. They l ive a long shore a n d far at sea . In
this group a re the world's best game fishes a n d fishes of
high commercia l value.
85

T U NA, A L BAC O R E , a n d B O N I TO are l a rg e mem

bers of the mackerel fam i l y. A few are no l arger than the

mackere l s on the preceding pages, but the g i a n t tunas
are the l argest of the bony fishe s . These l a rger mackerels
a l so swi m i n schoo l s . They m i g rate i n i rreg u l a r paths and

L I T T L E T U N N Y or Fa lse Albacore
is a fish of open waters frequently
caught and cal led "bonito" by
sportsmen . Found north to Cape
Cod in summer. 2 to 3 ft. , 1 0 lb.
Feeds on fl yi ngfishes.

o r Ocea n i c
Bonito prefers warmer waters on
Atlantic and Pacific coasts. N ote
stripes on underside and that the
lateral lines curve down sharply;
2 ft. long; 20 l b . ; few larger.

live a l l a l o n g t h e
coast, b u t a re more abundant i n
t h e south . T h i s is t h e "whitemeat
tuna" important in commercial
fi shing . Atlantic and Pacific spe
cies are identica l .

B O N ITO is not so im
portant in commerc i a l fi sheries.
A good sport fi sh, more abun
dant i n summer. A very s i m i l a r
and s l i g h t l y larger Pacific species
g rows to 40 in. and 25 lb.

A L B AC O R E

86

S K I PJ A C K T U N A

sched u l e s . A l l feed on such pe l a g i c fish as mackere l s ,

h e r r i n g , a n d sardines, a n d a l so sq u i d . A l l are va l u a b l e
food fishes, a n d tuna a re fa mous g a m e . T h e s e fi sh and
thei r k i n range the tropical a n d temperate sea s . C a l ifor
nia tuna boats fi sh a s fa r south a s Peru .

are represented
by two very s i m i l a r species, one
on the Atlantic and one on the
Pacifi c . The Atlantic species is
larger: 200- to 500- lb. fishes are
commonly caught. The record is
about 1 , 496 l b . Tuna come to
ward shore and move north i n
summer, following a more plenti
ful food supply.
BLUEFIN TUNA

and the Skip

jack are the principal species
caught at sea by the California
tuna fleet . Large n umbers of Yel
lowfi n have recently been found
in the G u l f o f M e x i c o . M o r e
southerly in i t s range t h a n the
B l uefi n , this tuna i s also smal ler
up to 500 l b . , usually 1 25 l b . or
less. An excellent game fi s h .
Y E L LOWF I N T U N A

MARLINS an k hig hest on the sportsman's l ist. A l l are

open-sea fishes which feed on other fish. Of fh ree species

living in North American waters, the Blue Marlin is best
known . Th is, the largest marlin (up to about 1 ,000 lb.),
is foun d i n the Gulf Stream as far north as Long Island.
Its up per jaw is extended into a long p ike, used in c lub
bing sma l l fish as it feeds. The ventra l fins a re reduced
fo a pair of long fi l aments. The Striped Ma rlin of the
Pacific barely enters California waters from the south
and is caught near the Sa nta Barbara Islands. It is smal ler
than the Blue Ma rlin-up to 300 or 400 lb. Its back is
m arked by a bout a dozen g ray stripes. The Wh ite Marlin
is pa ler i n color a n d m uch smal ler-rarely weig hing more
than 1 00 lb. It l ives i n our
Atlantic waters, moving
northward as spring ad
vances.

88

S A I L F I S H a re found as far

north as Cape C od o n the

At lantic and a s fa r north a s
Monterey on t h e Pacific . The
:two subspec i e s , one i n the
Atlantic and one i n the Pa
cifi c , are a l m o st identica l ,
except that the Pacifi c sub
species may average u p to
1 00 lb. and the Atl a n t i c
Sa i lfish comes nearer 6 0 l b . B o t h h a v e a h i g h , wide
dorsa l fi n , w h i c h g ives the fish its name; a l so sma l l sca les
embedded i n the skin, a s i n marl i n s . Sa i lfish l a c k fi n l et s .
T h e y often a ppea r i n schoo l s chasing Mackere l , M e n
haden, and s m a l ler fi shes . Sa i l fish have o i l y f l e s h a n d
a r e n o t a favorite food , b u t they a r e pri zed a s g a m e . They
are usua l l y caught by tro l l i n g in deep water. When
hooked , a s a i l fi s h wi l l leap, twi st, and "ta i l -wa lk" o n
t h e water i n a n effort to s h a ke loose. Sportsmen often
release the fi sh they have l a nded .
89

SWO R D F I S H , bear i n g a l o n g , sharp,

broad "sword , " are quite d i sti nct from the
marlins and sai lfish with their round pointed
beaks . Swordfish a re found in warmer
waters of the Pacifi c a n d Atl a n t i c ; they
move as fa r north a s N ova Scotia by the
end of the summer. Often bask a t the sur
face a n d are not eas ily d i sturbed . Sword
fi sh g row up to 1 5 f t . long a n d weigh u p to
1 , 000 l b . , but fi sh even half that size are
considered l a rg e . An excel lent food fish
and pri zed game fi s h , taken with line o r by
harpoo n . Swordfish prefer deeper, off
shore waters of the G u l f Strea m . Feed on
sma l l fi s h .

Swordfish
sword

I N S H O R E L I ZARDF I S H represents a southern fa m i l y. Lives

an sandy bottoms; feeds on smaller fi sh . length to 1 f t .

DOLP H I N or Dorado should not be confused with the

m a m m a l of the sa me name (p.

1 52). These fi s h are u n usual

i n severa l ways: their odd, b l unt heads a n d ta perin g

bod ies with a l o ri g dorsa l fi n ; their magnificent color,
which varies from fish to fish and which changes i n waves
on the living Dolphin; and their unusual speed. Dolphins
are one of the fastest fishes. They l ive at the surfa ce, chas
ing and feeding o n tlyin gfishes and other sma l l kinds.
Ma i n l y a southern fish, the Dolphin has been fou n d n orth
to New England in summer. It is occasio na l ly reported

6 ft. long,
60 l b . ; usua l ly it is much smal ler. Dolphins freq uent

a long the Pacific also. Ma ximum size is up to

weight

ly leap from the water when h u nting sma l ler fish or when
they a re chased by someth ing larger. The h ig h forehead
is characteristic of the male.

BUTTERFISH are sma l l (6 to 9 i n . long, weight Y2 lb.,

occasiona l l y larger) food fish widely d istributed in open
waters of the Atlantic. They live in schools on sandy
bottoms close to shore. Butterfish spawn in summer, d is
a ppearing from northern waters in the winter. N ets yiel d
a bout 7 m i l lion pounds a n nua l ly. Butterfish a n d Harvest
fish represent the ha rvestfish family in the Atlantic.
HARVESTFISH l ive more to the south than Butterfish a n d
a r e n o t as im porta nt as food fi s h . Their size is simi lar. Note
the d ifferences in the fins. The California Pompano (not
a true pom pa no) is a common Pacific harvestfish.

92

MOONF I S H and LOOKDOWN belong to the fa m i l y

o f jacks (pp. 94-95), mackerel - l ike fishes o f warmer

waters. These two species are more flattened than other
jacks. The Moonfish is the more common of the two a n d
is netted in t h e south as a food fi s h . Both fishes average
about 9 in. long and weigh about half a pound, thoug h
they may get larger. The lookdown is similar to the
Moonfish but has elongated dorsa l a n d a n a l fins and a n
even b l u nter head. The young have long fi laments o n
dorsa l a n d ventra l fins. lookdowns are caught loca l l y i n
channels a n d n e a r ledges. They put up a good fi g ht a n d
a r e fi n e eating.
93

Creva l l e Jack

or Common Jack has a

dark spot on gill covers. Grows
aver 2 ft. long and up to 36 l b .
U sually i n small schools n e a r pil
ings. Caught by trolling.
CRIVALLE

J AC K S a n d POMPA N O represent a large a n d i m por

tant fa m i l y of open-sea fi shes . N ote the deeply forked
ta i l s on t h i n sta l k s , often strengthened by heavy kee l s ,
with k n ife-sharp ridges . J a c k s and the i r k i n p refer warm
wa ters, though i n s u m m e r some may be fo und a l l a l ong
the Atlantic C oast . A few species occur o n our Pac ifi c
Coast . M a n y j a c k s a r e exce l l ent f o o d a n d ga m e fi sh .
" P o m pa n o en pa p i l l ote" (coo ked in pa per) is a fa mous
d e l i ca cy.

94

i s a n i mportant
commerc i a l fish i n southern C a l i
forni a . Usually 8 to 1 5 iri . , to 5
lb. , but occasionally much larger.
Caught mostly i nshore, though
seen 500 miles out. Feeds on
sard ines .

JACK MAC K E R E L

(above) i s stream l i ned l i ke the

mackerels. Schools are found on
our southern Pacific coast. A pop
ular game fi s h . Weight to 40 lb.

(below, left)
i s a pri zed food and game fis h ,
most common south of t h e Caro
linas i n i n lets and near shore. It is
also caught at buoys or at off
shore oil rigs. Weight about 2 l b .

( l eft) i s
larger than t h e Common Jack
averaging 1 2 l b . , occasionally
reaching 1 00 . Common off F lor
ida; rarer farther north . Feeds ,
like other jacks, on smaller fishes.

P E RM I T resembles t h e pompano
and i s sometimes cal led Round
Pompano. Length a bout 1 ft. ;
weight about 2 l b . Found in i n lets
of most southern waters with
pompanos.

CAL I F O R N I A

Y E L LOWTA I L

G R E AT E R A M B E RJ A C K

FLORIDA POMPANO

95

P I LOTFISH is a slender
jack, rarely g rowing over 2
ft. long. It is widespread i n
warmer waters a n d is occa
siona l l y foun d north to
Cape Cod. Pilotfish prefer
deeper water, often fo l low
ing ships or large sharks
and feeding on scra ps
these bigger fish leave be
hind. They do not lead
sharks to food, as some sto
ries have it.

B L U E F I S H (below) is in a family by itself. It rese m b les

pom pano i n some aspects, though it may be more closely
related to the sea basses. B luefish are excel lent food and
game fish, foun d in both deep a n d sha l l ow water and
caught by trolling, nets, or seines. length to a bout 30 in.,
weight 1 0 to 1 2 lb.; rarely larger.

96

P E RC H E S are a l a rge fa m i l y of med i u m to sma l l fi shes

a l so found i n E u rope . The Ye l l ow Perch (to 1 2 in. and 1
l b . ) i s best known . It i s a bundant i n l a kes and l a rge
strea m s , feed i n g O )l i n sects, crayfi s h , a n d sma l l fi s h .
Perch spawn i n spring; l ower fi ns then red d i s h . Wa l l eye
is a la rger, da rker perch ( u p to 1 0 l b . ) , fished commer
c i a l ly, and a popu l a r game fi s h , though beco m i n g less
com mon . E astern Sauger, s i m i l a r to Wa l leye but s l e n
d e r e r and s m a l l e r ( 1 2 to 1 4 i n . ) , often o c c u r s with i t .
RAI N B OW DART E R ( 2 t o 3 i n . ) .
Moles attractive with red on fi n s .
Prefer larger creeks w i t h grovel
botto m s .

(2 t o 3 i n . long)
belongs to a Iorge group of sma l l
perc h l i ke fishes of brooks a n d
lakes .

J O H N N Y DARTER

BASSES, often cal led the fi nest of fresh-water game fish,

a re of the sunfish fam i ly, which includes 30-odd species
i n warmer la kes and ponds. A l l members of the family
have a single dorsa l fin, the spiny and soft dorsals being
contin uous. All build nests in which the male guards eggs
and fry. Sunfishes are widely distributed and some have
been tra nsplanted outside of their native eastern waters.
Largemouth Bass, when young, has on the sides a
dark stripe, which disa ppears as the fish matures. The
mouth is large and extends back beyond the eye. Foods
are mainly crayfish and sma l l fish. Largemouth a n d Sma l l
mouth Bass are top game fish. Both have been introduced
west of the Rockies. To 8 lb.; larger in south.
Bass differs from the Largemouth in
having faint vertica l bars on the sides, and a mouth that
extends to, but not beyond, the pupil of the eye. Maximum
weig ht about 6 lb. The Sma l lmouth prefers deeper and
cooler water than the Largemouth. It does not range as
far south and is absent from Gulf Coast streams.
Sma l lmouth

Spotted Bass is intermediate between the Largemouth

and the Sma l l mouth in mouth size, body size, and fi n

sha pe. I t has a latera l stripe a n d many small dark spots
over the sides. F i ngerlings are easily distinguished by their
bright orange tail.
98

_.,__"""""'

members of the sunfish fam ily (see p.

98). These favorites in la kes, streams,
and ponds incl ude over a dozen
species, a l l easy to catch.
B l u eg i l l, one of the largest sun
fishes, sometimes weighs over 1 lb.
- averages 1,4 lb. Color va riable,
usua lly with fa int bars, and dark
lobes extending back from the g i l l
covers. Found in centra l states and as
far west as Colorado. I ntroduced in
Pacific coast states, they thrive in
farm ponds and lakes.
Longear Sunfish is so named be
cause of the long flaps or lobes that
are extensions of its g i l l covers. This
sunfish rarely gets over 8 in. long
usua lly not over 6. The bri l l iantly col
ored longear shows bright orange
and blue in irregu l a r patterns. One
of the two commonest su nfishes
(Green Sunfish is the other) of smal l
creeks i n the Mississippi Va l l ey.

Green S u n f i s h

P u m p k i n seed

P u m p k i n se e d , or C o m m o n Sunfi s h , has a less reg u l a r

c o l o r pattern t h a n t h e B l u eg i l l b u t usua l l y h a s strong
orange and blue stri pes o n the cheeks, a n d a te l l -ta l e
r e d s p o t marks the b a c k of t h e g i l l covers . R a r e l y over 8
i n . l o n g ; weight to 1 l b . Often found i n schools o n weedy
m a rg i n s of ponds and lakes, feed i n g o n i nsects and s m a l l
crustacea n s .
G re e n S u n fi s h , o n e o f t h e s m a l l e r s u nfi shes, rarely
gets over 6 i n . l o n g . P robably the most common sunfi s h ,
it i s s i m i l a r to t h e P u m pk i n seed b u t l a c k s t h e r e d s p o t o n
t h e g i l l cove r s . There a re black spots at t h e base of the
soft d o r s a l and anal fi n s . Found throughout the centra l
states a n d a s fa r west as C o l orado, it has been i ntro
duced a l ong the Pacifi c .

L o n ge a r S u nfish

1 01

Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish or Shel lcracker (above) is common

i n the Mississippi basin from I l l inois south, and most
abundant in the south; sometimes in brackish water. It
grows a bit larger than other species (up to 1 0 in.) and
has been tra nspla nted outside its ra nge. Note the red
tip on the lobe of the g i l l covers; this gives the fish one
of its common names.
Warmouth ra nges through the Mississippi basin to the

Gulf in lakes, ponds, and large streams. It feeds on

insects a n d smal l fish and, l ike other sunfishes, takes the
hook readi ly. Grows 8 to 1 0 in. long and usua l l y not over
1 lb. It is a nest builder. Warmouth has a large mouth
l ike that of the Rock Bass, but it has only three anal spines
and more conspicuous lines back of the eye.
Rock Bass is difficult to picture, since it changes color
rapidly to b lend with its surroundings. It, too, occurs in
the Mississippi basin, but is more common in the cooler
c lear waters of the north. It spawns in l ate spring on
gravel bottoms and under weedy banks. A good game
fish, 8 to 1 0 in. long; often weig hs over 1 lb.

1 02

Spotted Sunfish (Spotted Bream or Stumpknocker),

common in southern ponds, streams, and brackish water,

is a smal ler sunfish, marked by s m a l l dark specks. During
the breeding season, mature fish develop a brick red
color. Length, 6 to 8 in.; weight usua l l y 8 to 1 8 oz.

Spotted Sunfish

C RA P P I E S a re the l a rgest of the sunfishes . Two species,

the B lack Crappie and the White Crappie, inhabit about

the same range i n the Mississippi va l l ey and Great lakes
reg i o n . They have been widely tra nspl anted e l sewhere .
There are s l i g h t differences i n c o l o r pattern and i n the
dorsal spines, and the shorter snout of the B l ack Crappie
i s turned u p . Both species spawn i n spring when one o r
two yea rs o l d . They feed on s m a l l water a n i m a l s , i n sects,
crustacea ns, and to some extent on sma l l fi s h . C rappies
are e a s i l y caught through wi nter ice or i n the spr i n g , and
make a n exce l lent pan fis h . They often g row to 1 2 i n .
long a n d wei g h over 2 l b .

W h i te C r a p p i e

1 04

BLUEGI LL-BASS
CYCLE
bass eat

small animals eat

bluegills

smaller plankton

bluegills eat
crustaceans

F I S H C U LTIVAT I O N in farm ponds is i ncreasing. Over

a m i l l ion such ponds exist; some produce as much as 200
lb. of fish per acre. Where soi l fertil ity a n d therefore the
pond fertility are very low, com mercia l fertil izers are used
to aid the growth of plankton (microscopic p l a nt and a n i
m a l l ife). This serves as food for crustacea ns a n d sma l l
fishes, which are eaten b y larger fishes. Too-high ferti l ity
may cause excessive and obnoxious plant growth. I n the
popular Bluegil l-Bass combi nation, the problem has been
to avoid excess production of b l uegil ls, by i ntensive
angling and netting. Detai led instructions a re ava i la b le
from federa l a n d most state conservation agencies.

1 05

G i a n t Sea Bass

T E M P E RAT E BAS S E S incl ude the W h i te Perch w h i c h ,

until 1 970, was placed i n the same fa m i ly a s the sea

basses (p. 1 08) . N ow the White Perc h , White Bass,
Ye l l ow Bass, and Striped Bass have been found to be
d ifferent enough from the sea basses to m ove them to
the newly created fa m i l y of temperate basses . A l so in
c l uded i n t h i s fa m i l y i s the Giant Sea Bass, or Pacifi c
J ewfi s h , a d a r k , heavi ly b u i l t bottom fish t h a t may wei g h
up to 6 0 0 l b . a n d atta i n 7 ft. o r more i n lengt h . T h i s
popu l a r game fi s h , found from central C a l ifornia south ,
a l so has some com merci a l i m po r tance as a food fi s h .

WHITE BASS, a fresh-water fish,

belongs to the fam i l y of temper
ate basses. I t lives in the larger
rivers and lakes of the Mississippi

1 06

Va lley and in the Great lakes .

Note the silvery, striped body and
divided dorsal fi n . A good game
fish . length: to 1 8 i n .

ST R I P E D B A S S ( i l l u s
trated on p . 8) i s t h e best
k n ow n t e m p e r a t e b a s s ,
found from F l orida t o C a n
ada but b e s t k n o w n from
N ew J ersey to Cape Cod .
It has been successfu l l y
tra nspla nted t o the Pac ific
S u rf f i s h i n g for Stri ped B a s s
coast. The Stri ped Bass is
a superb food and game fi sh, growi ng up to 1 25 l b . ,
though h a l f that weight is more typica l . I n May it moves
i nto bays o r u p strea ms to spawn . Food : fi s h , crabs,
shri m p , a nd other i nvertebrates . White Perch i s a n other
fi ne temperate bass of both brackish and fresh water o n
t h e A t l a n t i c coast .

Ye l l ow B a s s

is related and quite

s i m i l a r to White Bass. It rarely
grows over 1 5 in. long . Some of
the stripes on its sides are i nterY E L LOW BASS

ru pted . A good game and food

fis h , it i s found i n north-central
lakes and rivers, and sometimes
in brackish bays .

1 07

S E A BAS S E S are a l a rge and d iverse fa m i l y of perch l i ke

fi shes . Most species have three heavy spi nes before the
ana l fi n , and one or two spines o n the edge of the g i l l
covers .
B l a c k Sea B a s s is most common from F l o r i d a to Cape
Cod . T h i s bottom fi sh is often found near rocks, both
inshore and off, feed i n g o n crabs, s h r i m p , and sma l l
fi shes . S i des mottled , with na rrow horizonta l stripes. A
superior game fi s h . Weight to 6 l b . ; length to 1 8 i n .

B l a c k Sea B a s s

Ke l p B a s s i s a much s m a l l e r fi s h ; i t rarely gets to be

over 2 ft. l o n g . It i s common i n kel p bed s , where it is
freq uently taken by ang lers using l ive ba i t . One of the
lead i n g C a l ifornia sport fi shes and of some commerc i a l
i m portance, it i s caught m o r e often i n s u m mer. It i s rare
north of Monterey.

1 08

J EW F I S H E S A N D G RO U P E R S are l a r g e sea basses ,

found i n southern waters of the Atlantic and the Gu lf,

usua l l y o n rocky bottoms a n d a round reefs . The Wa rsaw
Grouper, o r B l a c k J ewfi s h , does not occur n o r th of the
C a ro l i n a s . I t reaches a length of 6 ft . and a wei g h t of at
least 500 lb. Odd ly, sma l l fi sh are rarer t h a n those of
the l a rger s i z e . J ewfi s h a re taken by h o o k and l i n e
commerc i a l l y as we l l as for spo r t . The J ewfish i s n o t
found n o r t h o f F l o r i d a . I t , too, i s a fi sh of r o c k s a n d
reefs , t h o u g h it a l so l ives a r o u n d p i l i n g s . T h i s j ewfish
grows l a rg e r than the Wa rsaw, rea c h i n g over 600 l b .
(record 6 9 3 l b . , length 8 ft . ) . I t i s a s l u g g i sh fi s h and
hence i s easy prey to spea r fi shermen , who take them
freq uently. As a food fish i t once had little va l u e , but
now i t i s beco m i n g i n c reas i n g l y popu l a r a n d more widely
used .

1 10

Y E L L O W F I N G R O U P E R is a
West I ndies fish that is also fou nd
in the Florida Keys. It p refers
reefs and offshore b a n ks, where

it feeds on crabs a n d small fishes.

This h a ndsome fish has two color
p hases and c h anges color rapidly.
Grows to 1 8 i n . ; averages 3 lb.

RED GROUPER ranges as fa r

north as the C a roli nas. Along with
the Black Grouper it forms the
b u l k of the commercial g rouper
catch. Food simila r to that of
other groupers. This common spe
cies g rows to 50 lb.

BLACK GROUPER, a West I n d ies

species, is a lso co m m o n on the

northern Gulf Coast. It is abun
dant in Florida Keys; occasio nally
ranges to Massa c h usetts. Grows 3
ft. long, up to 50 lb.

S N OO K S a re widely d i stri buted i n tro p i c a l sea s . One

spec ies i s c o m m o n off F l orida and a long the Texas coast.
Pacific species d o not q u ite touch U . S . waters . Snooks
are found c l o se to shore, i n bays a n d i n lets, often g o i ng
upstream into fresh water. They a re fi ne g a m e fish and
are excellent eating also. Snooks a re related to the sea
basses ( p p . 1 08- 1 1 0) but h ave longer, t h i n ner bod ies, a
stra ight l ower profi l e , a n d a projecting l ower j aw. Av
erage wei g h t a bout 4 l b . , occa s i o na l l y u p to 50; length
up to 4 f t .

gets i t s name from

the prominent dorsal and anal
fi ns, which make the fi sh look as
if it had three tails. Common in

T R I P L ETA I L

Atlantic north to Cape Cod; more

common in the sout h . Feeds on
smaller fi shes. Length about 20
in . ; average weight over 1 0 l b .

111

S N APP ERS are another group of tropica l fishes which

fi n d their way a long the Gulf and Atla ntic coasts, some
times as far north as Cape Cod. Sna ppers usua l l y aggre
gate on offshore " l u m ps," though some species of less
commercial i mporta nce are found near shore. They feed
on crabs, shrimp, and sma l l fish.
School master, of F lorida waters, is found around
wharves a n d a long the reefs. Grows about 1 8 in. long;
weig ht 2 to 3 lb., occasiona l l y up to 8. A common
species, ma rked by light bars and yel low fins.
Gray Snapper, a lso ca l led Ma ngrove Snapper, is often

found a round mangroves in the F lorida Keys. Reputed to

be one of the best-tasting snappers, it feeds l a rgely on
crabs. Occasiona l ly foun d as far north as New Jersey.
Average length is a bout 1 8 in.; average weight about
2-3 lb., but specimens of 1 5 to 1 8 lb. have been caught.
Red Sna pper is a famous food fish found mainly in the

Gulf of Mexico, but a lso a long the Atla ntic Coast as far
north as long Island. It is usua l ly caught with h a n d l ines.
Pensaco la and Ca ribbean Red Sna p per have recently been
shown to be the same species. length, to 3 ft.

Red Snapper

Yel l owta i l Snapper is a sma l l sna pper with a big

reputation as a tasty fish. It is rarely foun d north of

F lorida, where it l ives a long reefs and in in lets. I dentified
by a deeply forked ta il, yel low fi n s, and a yel l ow stripe
a long the sides to the ta i l . Length to 2 ft. ; average length
under 1 ft.

PORKF I S H A sma l l , brightly

col ored grunt of F l orida
waters; 1 t o 2 lb.

G R U NTS are c l osely re lated to snappers but have fewer

teeth and brightly colored mouth s . Most are sma l l , a l l

a re tropica l . Common i n t h e Atlant i c . T h e C a l ifornia
Sorgo i s a common grunt of Pacific wate r s .
W h i te G r u n t , common f r o m t h e West Ind ies to the

C a r o l i n a s and a favorite food fi sh, has four rows of

e n l a rged scales a bove latera l l i n e . Average length, 1
f t . ; average weight, 1 l b . -rarely up to 1 8 i n . l o n g and
4 l b . Found o n sha l l ow, sandy botto m s .
B l u es t r i p e d G r u n t i s ma rked as its name i n d i cates
with narrow, hori zontal b l ue stri pes . F i n s a re yel l owish,
inside of m outh red . lacks the large sca les of the White
Grunt. T h i s handsome, tasty grunt grows to about 1 8 i n .
a n d up t o 4 l b . C o m m o n i n the F l orida Keys . E a s i ly
caught.
To m t a t e i s a sma l l grunt, not more than 8 or 1 0 i n .

long . It h a s t h e s a m e range a s t h e White Grunt. U su a l l y

found i n sha l l ow water, a round rocks and d o c k s , feed i ng
on whatever a n i m a l l ife it encounters .
P i g f i s h occasiona l l y fi nds its way to long I s l a n d Sound
and westwa rd i n the G u l f to Texas . Most common i n
s o u t h U . S . A t l a n t i c coasta l waters, w h e r e i t i s a n i m por
ta nt food fis h . Habits s i m i l a r to Tomtate's . N ote diago
nal stri pes o n back . To about 1 4 in. and 3 l b .

1 14

P O RG I E S are sma l l - mouthed fi shes with strong jaw

teeth , adapted to feed ing o n shel l fish a n d crustacea n s .
S c u p o r Porgy (from t h e C a r o l i n a s to C a pe Cod , o n
sandy bottoms) i s a sport a n d food fi s h . lengt h , a bout
1 6 i n . ; weight, 1 to 2 lb. The n o r thern and southern
forms are the same species . Sheepshead Porgy, common
and l a rg e , affords sport to spea r fi shermen . Found south
of C hesapeake Bay and i nto the Gulf. N ot rel ated to
C a l ifornia Sheepshead ( p . 1 30 ) . Of other southern spe
cies, the J o lt-head i s l a rgest (up to 1 0 l b . ) and best
known; so c a l led beca use it j o l ts and pushes shel lfi s h off
p i l i n g s when feed i n g .

1 16

S H E E P S H E A D PORGY, a bottom
feeder; u p to 20 Ia 30 lb. Dark
bands most conspicuous in young.

P I N F I S H i s a porgy; a l so ca l led P i nfi sh Brea m , or Sa i l

or's C h o i c e . (The l a st n a m e i s appl ied t o two g runts
a l so . ) Found from C a pe Cod south a nd common a l o n g
t h e G u l f i n bays, i n l ets, and around piers . Grows 6 t o
1 0 i n . long , l e s s t h a n 1 l b . A fi ne-flovored fi s h .
O PA L E Y E , a l so cal led G reen Perch or C a ta l i n a Perc h ,

i s t h e o n l y c o m m o n member of a Pacifi c fa m i l y and a

favorite sport fi sh for surf casters . Max i m u m size a bout
20 in. long and 6 l b . The young have whitish bl otches o n
each s i d e of t h e bac k . Opa l eye i s found from Monterey
Bay south to l ower C a l iforn ia .

1 17

C H U B S are sma l l - mouthed fishes somewhat l i ke por

gies. They a re k n own to fo l l ow ships at sea , proba b l y a s

scavengers . The Bermuda C h u b , common off F l or i d a , i s
found n o r t h to C a pe Cod . It wei g h s 3 to 4 l b . , occa s i o n
a l ly m u c h m o r e ; has d i st i nct l i g h t d o t s o n dark b a c k
ground . L a r g e school s a re f o u n d a round o l d wrecks and
a l ong reefs , feed i n g o n a n i m a l and vegeta b l e matter.
MOJ A R RAS are sma l l tropica l fis h , rare l y over a foot

l ong . They extend their jaws i nto a long tube (as shown
bel ow) a s they feed o n whatever p l a nt o r a n i m a l materia l
i s ava i la b l e . There are many American spec ies, a l l s i l
very. They a re a m o n g t h e commonest Atlantic shore
fi shes a n d a re a l so found on the Pac ific Coast . More
abundant i n wa rmer waters, moja rras a re seldom over 6
i n . long .
S ilver Jenny

1 18

Spotted
Seotrout

W E A K F I S H a n d S E AT R O U T S are best known of the

croakers, a fa m i l y of temperate- and wa rm-water fi shes

that frequent sha l l ows . A l so c a l l ed Squetea g ues, Wea k
f i s h are i m portant f o o d a n d game fi sh a l o ng the Atlantic
coast . Their wea k mouths tear when h o o ked . large
sch o o l s m ove north i n late spring, feed i n g o n sma l l fi shes
and i nvertebrate s . length , 3 f t . ; wei g h t , 1 2 lb. The
Spot ted Seatrout or "spec k l e trout" i s s i m i l a r but has
dark spots o n fi n s and body, and a m o re southerly
ra n g e . length, 2 ft . ; weig h t , S i b .
W H I T E S E A B A S S , a Pacific croa ker, relative of the
Wea kfi s h , l ives a s far north as Puget Sound . Found
i nshore, often i n k e l p beds , feed ing o n small fis h and
crustacea n s . Weight to 60 lb. An i m portant commerc i a l
fi s h .

AT L A N T I C C ROA K E R i s the common species of the

croaker fa m i ly. I t feeds on m o l l usks, crustacea ns, and

small fi shes i n bays and sha l l ow water, where it usua l l y
l ives i n eel g rass or i n oyster bed s . H a s s m a l l c h i n bar
be l s . Occa s i o n a l l y caught u p to Cape Cod , but more
common to the south . Averages 1 l b . , sometimes reaches
4 or 5 lb. Spawns offshore i n late s u m mer.

S P OT F I N C ROA K E R i s ma rked by l a rge dark spots at

the base of the pector a l fi n s . It i s often caught by Pac ific

surf-fishers, a l so from docks and boats near shore .

common south o f Monterey. length, to 2 ft . ; weight,

Coast
More

to 6 1bs.

1 20

DRUMS are the largest and noisiest of the croakers,

which make loud noises by vibrating m uscles that cause
their air bladders to vibrate. The Black Drum grows to
over 4 ft. and weighs up to 1 50 lb., but averaging less
tha n ten . like the Sheepshead Porgy (p. 1 1 6) it feeds on
mollusks. Though large and good to eat, this drum is
not considered much of a game fish. The Red Drum, or
Channel Bass, is a n excel lent sportsman's fish. Found
from New York south, it feeds on sma l l fish, shrim p , and
crabs. Note its color. There may be more than one b lack
spot at the base of the tai l . This fish travels in school s
a n d weighs 5 t o 1 5 lb.-occasiona l ly 5 0 lb. o r more.

K I N G F I S H E S , h i g h l y pri zed for thei r food q u a l i ties,

a re a group of croa kers found i n both Atlantic and
Pacifi c . A l l are somewhat similar and have a c h i n ba rbe l .
The N orthern K i n gfis h , a lso known as Whiting , i s com
mon a s far south as Maryl a n d , where it g radua l l y be
comes rarer a s the Southern Ki ngfi s h becomes com
moner. Both species are bottom feeders found o n sandy
bottoms i n fa i r l y sha l l ow wa ter. The G u l f K i ngfish is
confi ned to sandy beaches from Chesapeake Bay to
Texas . The Corbina, which i s the Pacific cou nterpa rt of
the Gulf K i ngfi s h , i s often taken by s urf-casti ng . K i n g
fishes wei g h 3 l b . , g row to 2 f t .

TILEFISH a re u n usual fish with a most u n usual history.

Studies show that they thrive only at depths of 50 to 1 00
fathoms, a n d there only when the water temperature is
close to 50 degrees. I n this narrow range the tilefish is a
bottom feeder, growing to over 3 ft. long a n d a weight of
over 35 lb., though averag ing much less. Note the fleshy
flap at the top of the head and the smal ler ones at the
corners of the mouth. The eyes a re much larger in tilefish
taken from the Gulf of Mexico.
Tilefish are excel lent eating, but this l a rge a n d valu
able fish was n ot taken a long the northern Atla ntic Coast
till 1 879. Fishing for this species developed rapidly. Then,
within three years, the tilefish nearly became extinct
probably because of the s hift of a cold-water current into
the na rrow area they occupied. I n March, 1 882, steam
ships and fishing boats reported m i l l ions upon m i l l ions of
dead tilefish floating at sea north of Delaware Bay. None
was caught i n the next few years. Gradu a l ly the fish re
turned, a n d after 1 9 1 5 commercial fishing was taken u p
again. Peaks of 1 2 m i l lion pounds a n n u a l ly have been
reached, but recent catches i n North Atlantic waters have
again been much smal ler.

1 23

SC U L P I N S are a family of odd, bizarre fishes with large,

spiny or a r mored heads and short tapering bodies, some

times soft, sometimes armored too. The pectora l ti ns, large
and fanlike, are used by fresh-water species to hang onto
stones. Scu l pins are arctic or northern fishes fou n d around
the worl d in cooler waters. Most l ive on the bottom, feed
ing o n crabs and sma l l fishes. The flesh of Scu lpins is
edible, b ut because of their small size a n d unattractive
form, scu lpins are se ldom eaten. They are a n uisance to
fishermen. Eastern kinds are used for lobster ba it.
L O N G H O R N SCU L P I N has on its head sharp spines
which make it hard to handle. Its color varies with the
bottom on which it l ives; usually it has light and dark
b lotches. Length to 1 ft.; weight to 1 lb. The Shorthorn
Scu l pin is similar, with smal ler spines.

S E A RAV E N ( p . 1 24), a l a rger scu l p i n u p to 20 i n . long

and wei g h i n g u p to 5 l b . , has l a rge teeth and can bite
severely when caught. The mottled s k i n i s prickly. The
Sea Raven swe l l s u p when caught. It prefers rocky bot
toms in fa i r l y deep water.
CAB E Z O N i s a l a rge Pacific Scu l p i n , up to 30 i n . l o n g ,
wei g h i n g 20 to 25 l b . A favorite o f a n g l e r s , it l ives on
hard or rocky bottoms i n fa irly sha l l ow water. Good
eat i n g , but the roe i s repor ted poisonous . N ote soft
ski n , lack of sca les, and large s p i ne near eye s .
MOTT L E D S C U L P I N represents a s m a l l b u t wide
spread group of fresh-water scu l p i n s . Some are l a ke
dwe l lers, but the Mottled prefers strea m s with g ravel
bottoms i n the Atlantic and eastern Mississippi d r a i n
age. Grows 4 to 6 i n . l o n g ; i s of no c o m m e r c i a l va l u e .

S EA RO B I N S a n d F LY I N G G U R N A R D S rese m b l e

scu l p i n s , t h o u g h e a c h represents a d i fferent fa m i ly.

Leopa rd S e a ro b i n has a l a rge head a n d tapering
body; mouth s m a l ler than scu l p i n's, l ower rays of pec
toral fi ns free a n d mod ified for wa l k i n g o n the bottom .
Found i n the G u l f and Atl a ntic north to the C a ro l i nas,
this fish sometimes stirs u p the bottom searc h i n g for
crabs, worms, m o l l usks, and even sma l l fi shes. I t g rows
to about 6 i n . a n d forms part of the commerc i a l "scrap"
that i s used i n can ned cat food .
F l y i n g G u r n a rd is a southern Atlantic fi sh with enor
mous pectora l fi n s each d ivided into a l a rger and a
s m a l l e r p a r t . It takes leaps out of the water, but noth ing
l i ke those of flyingfishes . The ventra l fi ns a re used a s
wa l k i n g orga n s . T h e g i l l covers taper i nto t h i c k spines.
I t g rows to less than 1 ft. long .

LUMPFISH and SEA SNAI LS a re odd creatures of

northern waters fou n d on both sides of the Atlantic. These
interesting but unim portant fishes have unusual sucking
discs, by w h ic h they cling to rocks and seaweeds.

Lumpfish is the larger (up to 20 in. and 20 lb.). It is a

bottom dweller, fo und from the surf out to depths of

1 50 fat homs. L u m pfish often c l ing to lobster pots a n d

feed on sma l l invertebrates. They spawn i n spring. The
male gua rds the spongy masses of eggs.

Sea Snails have a n unusual ta d

6 in.) and

pole sha pe. Sma l l (under

soft-bodied, they a re fou n d as far

south as New Jersey. A l l species have
a

we l l - deve loped

sucking

d isc,

formed from modified ventra l fi ns.

Sea Snails feed on sma l l m o l l usks
and other bottom invertebrates. They
spawn ea rly i n spri ng.
1 27

ROC K F I S H E S a re members of the sco r p i onfish fam i l y

w h i c h g ive b i r t h to young after they devel o p i n s i d e t h e
fema l e . About 6 0 species occur o n o u r Pac ific coast a n d
a few o n t h e Atl a n t i c . All have armored h e a d s l i ke the
related scu l p i n s and searobins (pp. 1 24- 1 26). More
common in cool or temperate waters .
Boc a c c i o , found from British C o l u m b i a s outhward ,
g rows u p to 3 ft . long and weighs up to 20 l b . T h i s very
common and i mportant food and game fish is o live brown
with var i a b l e a m o unts of red , orange, and sometimes
black.
C h i l i p e p p e r i s f o u n d a long the C a l iforn i a c o a s t , m o r e
commonly to the south . It ranks with Bocacci o a s t h e
m o s t i m po r tant rockfi s h . N ote the p i nk stri pe a long t h e
latera l l i n e . length to 24 i n . ; weight to 1 0 l b .

1 28

O C E A N P E RC H a n d S C O R P I O N F I S H are eastern

representatives of the rockfish fa m i l y. Both are found

a l ong the At lantic coast, and are temperate-water fishes.
Ocea n P e rc h , sometimes cal led Redfi s h , g rows to

about 20 i n . and wei g h s to 5 l b . It i s very abundant a n d

recently has become a n i m portant commerc i a l species
more va l u a b l e than cod and a source of frozen fi l ets and
fi sh-st i c k s . It i s taken by traw l s i n deep water, rarely
caught by sport fi shermen . N ote the l a rge eyes, g i l l
open i n g s , a n d t h e bright colors which fad e ra p i d l y after
death . like the Pac ific Rockfish it g ives birth to living
you ng .
P l u m e d S c o r p i o nfi s h is a more souther ly scorpion
fi sh representing a group of about 20 species o n the
Atlantic coast a n d a few o n the Pacifi c . I t lays egg s . To
8 in.

Plumed Scorpionfish

1 29

W RAS S E S are attractive, large-toothed , sma l l -mouthed

tropica l fi shes found in cora l reefs and around rocks .

They have a continuous dorsa l fi n . Add itional g r i n d i ng
teeth i n the throat a i d in crushing m o l l u s k s . Sca les a re
la rge and smooth . See Razorfish and B l uehead , p . 1 33 .
found north to
the Carolinas but more
common i n Florida waters,
is a fine food fish u p to 2
ft. long . N ote the three
long spines i n the dorsal
fin and the bright colors,
usua lly some shade of red ,
which cha nges rapid ly.
HOGF I S H ,

TAUTOG, one o f two northern

wrasses, is found south to the
Carolinas. A good food and game
fi sh, 2 to 5 l b . , it i s found in

summer around rocks, piers, and

ledges, feed ing o n mussels and
o t h e r m o l l u s k s . It w i n t e r s i n
deeper waters.

C A L I F O R N I A S H E E P H E A D or
C a l i f o r n i a R e d fi s h i s a I o r g e
wrasse o f rocky shores from Mon
terey sout h . Mole ( left) and

female ore illustrated here . D u l l

r e d of female sometimes has d a r k
blotches. A c o m m o n s p o r t fi s h .
length t o 3 f t . ; weight to 30 l b .

1 30

B U T T E R F LY F I S H E S
and
ANG E L
F I S H E S form a group of compressed trop

ical reef dwe l lers of F l orida waters with

sma l l m ouths a n d teeth . Angelfishes d i ffer
fro m Butterflies in bea r i n g a spine on the
g i l l cove r s . A l s o , the dorsal fi n of Angel
fi shes ends i n a l o ng fi l a m e n t .

Q U E E N A N G E L F I S H i s t h e l a rgest
of the group, g rowi n g to 2 ft.
long. l i ke other a n g e l f i s h e s , i t is
good eat i n g , though the group is
not i m p o r t a n t a s a food fi s h . An
gelfishes feed o n crabs, b a r n a
c l e s , a n d other i nvertebrate s .

S P OT F I N B U T T E R F LY F I S H i s a
we l l - k nown reef dwe l l e r, marked
by a d a r k line through the eye
ond another near the ta i l . T h i s
s m a l l fi sh (5 to 8 i n . ) , fast a n d
a g g r e s s i v e , feeds o n s m a l l
invertebrate s .
F R E N C H A N G E L F I S H ( 1 ft . ) i s a
West I n d i e s spec i e s as is the Gray
Angelfish which occasiona l l y
spreads north to New J ersey. They
are both popu l a r s a lt-water
a q u a r i u m fishes . You n g have ver
tical ye l l ow b a n d s o n a b l a c k
backgrou n d .

1 31

T R O P I C A L MA R I N E F I S H E S form a n i m portant part

of American sea l ife . Some a re accidenta l stragg l ers;

some come into o u r range during summer; some l ive the
year round in F l orida and Gulf waters . Southern C a l i for
nia, with cooler waters, has fewer tropical species.
S E RG E A N T MAJ O R , named for its stripes, a nd Reef

F i s h , common o n cora l reefs, a re in the d a m se l fish fa m

i l y. Range north to F l orida . Ma les guard eggs. 6 i n .
RAI N B OW PA R R OT F I S H i s o n e of t h e l a rgest herbiv
orous and coral -eating reef dwe l l e rs . It grows up to 3
ft. The Parrotfish fa m i ly i n c l udes brightly c o l o red spe
cies, with fused, nipping teeth that can cut a hook in two .
S PAD E F I S H , a relative of angelfishes ( p . 1 3 1 ), is larger
(to 3 ft. ) and a fi ne food and game fis h . A favorite target
of skin d ivers . There is a l so a Pacific Spadefi s h .
s ..... ant Major

TRIGGERFISHES are so named because the fi rst of the

three stout spines of the dorsa l fi n is locked u pright by the
second when the fish is d isturbed. It w i l l d rop o n ly when
the second spine is pressed as a trigDORSAL FI N
TRIGGER MECHANISM
ger. Triggerfishes a re com pressed
fishes a l most as high as long, with
fin u p
heavy sca les and tough skin. Ventra l
fi n s are m uc h reduced or a bsent.
These fishes average about 1 ft., rare
ly weig hing over 1 lb. All a re tropical,
from Florida a n d the West I n d ies.
fi n released
Gray Triggerfish is varia b ly colored,
usua l l y a mottled brown, yel l ow, or
gray. length, a bout 1 ft. It gets farther
north than other species. Ocea n Trig
fin down
gerfish is larg er, up to 2 ft., a n d weighs
3 to 5 lb. or more.

FI LEFISHES have tiny, hard sca les set in a tough skin

which was once used as sandpa per-hence their n a m e.
They a re relatives of triggerfishes, but have only one
dorsa l spine instead of three. The ventral fi n s a re re
d uced or a bsent. Fi lefishes a re common in northern a n d
temperate waters, though t h e family is a tropica l one.
They feed on a lgae a n d sma l l invertebrates.
P l anehead F i l efish rarely gets over 1 0 i n . long. It is
fou nd north to Ca pe Cod but is more common in the south.
The Fringed F i l efish, of southern waters, is similar but
has a l a rger ventra l fl a p than the Planehead Fi lefish.
Orange Fi lefish, a longer, less deep species, may reach
a length of 2 ft. This one is more common in the Gulf of
Mexico and a long the F lorida coast. The Ora nge Fi lefish
is not a lways orange, but is mottled, with olive gray,
orange, or w h ite.

1 35

T R U N K F I S H E S are marine odd ities . The body scales

fuse, forming a solid, triangular she l l from which the mov

ing fi ns and ta i l protrude. The box l i ke shell is made up of
six-sided plates, each fi rmly attached to those which sur
round it. The Tru n kfi shes are therefore s l ow and l i m i ted i n
their movements. When they a r e found north o f their
southern range they have usua l l y been carried a l ong by
the Gulf Strea m . The young are more rounded and, in
some species, are brightly colored .
C o m m o n Tru n kf i s h is found mainly in F l orida waters

but a l so to the north a s fa r as Cape Cod . Only very sma l l

fi sh a r e found that fa r north . U p t o l 0 i n .
S c ra w l e d C o w f i s h

is a
l a rg e r t r u n k fi s h , s o m e t i m e s
over a foot l o ng . L i ke other
trunkfi shes it is ed i b l e . Trunk
fi shes are sometimes baked i n
their own shel l s .

1 36

Southern Puffer
(inflated)

P U F FERS, a lso known as Swe l lfishes, can q u ickly inflate

their bodies with air or water ti l l they swe l l to three times
norm a l size. When danger i s past, they def late just as rap
id ly. Puffers are found all a long the Atla ntic Coast an d at
points along the Pacific Coast. They live i n shal low water,
feed ing on crabs and other invertebrates. Some puffers
a re poisonous. Since the poison is extremely potent, it is
unwise to use puffers as food.
Smooth Puffer, one of the l a rgest species, is most com
mon i n southern waters. It has prickles confi n ed to area on
bel ly. U p to 2 ft.
Northern P uffer is not common north of Cape Cod . It
spawns i n s u m mer. Ba n dtai l Puffer, from F l ori da south,
a n d Southern Puffer of the G u lf, are simi lar i n form a n d size.

1 37

P O RC U P I N E F I S H a n d
B U R R F I S H are closely

rel ated to t h e puffers, but

i n a d d i t i o n to their a b i l i ty
to swe l l , the i r skin i s cov
ered with stout spi nes which
make them da ngerous to
other fi shes and hard to
hand l e . These are tropica l
fi shes, occa s i o n a l l y found
Porcu pinefish
north to C a pe C o d , usually i n sha l l ow water, where they feed on sma l l i nverte
brates . Of n o commercia l va l u e , but i nterest i n g because
of their form , m e m bers of this fa m i l y and the puffers a re
found i n the P a c i fi c south of o u r border.
Porc u p i n efi s h h a s l o n g , stout spi nes w h i c h stick out
i n all d i recti o n s . length, 1 f t . ; occasiona l l y 3 f t .
S t r i ped B u r r f i s h o r S p i n y Boxfi sh i s a c o m m o n species
with short, stout spines. I t i s so s l ow i t p rovides sport
for skin d ivers, who c a n ea s i l y catch them . 1 0 i n .

OCEAN S U N F I S H is no

relative of t h e fresh-water
sunfishes (pp. 1 00- 1 01 ) , but
i s kin to the B u r rfish a n d
Porcupi nefish { p . 1 38 ) . The
Ocean S u nfish i s a l so c a l led
Headfi s h , for its head d o m i nates the entire body. It pre
fers warmer waters , though i t occurs w i d e l y i n all sea s .
T h i s odd , l a zy fi sh i s o n e of th ree species i n o u r waters .
Spec i mens 6 f t . l ong a n d 600 l b . have been c a u g h t ; the
record weight i s a bout a ton . Food i s s m a l l m a r i n e
i nvertebrate s . T h e Ocea n Su nfi sh h a s a leathery outer
skin with a thick tough white l ayer benea t h . Its bones are
soft a n d wea k , a n d its movements a re l i m i ted . Har
pooned a s a g a m e fi s h , i t h a s no use a s food .

1 39

R E M O RAS are a l so c a l led S h a rksuckers because of the

u n usua l , ova l sucking disc on the top of the head . With
t h i s they a t ta c h themse lves to swordfi s h , s h a r k s , or a ny
other large fis h for a free ride . Remoras a re not para
s i tes, nor d o they " g u i de" their host. They merely share
left-over d i nner scra p s . The s u c k i n g d i s c deve l oped from
the front dorsal fi n ; m u s c u l a r fl a p s open to create the
s u ct i o n . There are several species of remora . They a l l
prefer wa rmer waters . The Sha rksucker, i l l ustrated
a bove , i s the l a rgest and most com m o n , usua l ly a bout 2
f t . l o n g , sometimes a foot longer. Remoras are found on
other fi shes su c h a s Drums, Swo rdfi s h , a n d Ma r l i n s ;
s'ometimes on l a rge s e a turtles . They c o m m o n l y attach
to skin d ivers .
Northern Stargazer

STARGAZ E RS a re southern fishes

best k n own from Atlantic species,
which a re seldom over 1 f t . lo n g .
Mouth , nostr i l s , a n d eyes h i g h i n
t h e head m a k e it poss i b l e f o r Sta r
gazers to l i e b u r i ed i n the s a n d
e l ec t r i c orga n s o n
a w a i t i n g u n wa r y c r u s t a c e a n s .
head of Stargazer
Some Sta rgazers have, i n the top
of thei r hea d s , e l ec t r i c a l cel l s w h i c h have deve l o ped
from the optic nerve . These can g ive a strong shock to
a n a n i m a l o r perso n . When the mouth opens to g ra s p a n
a n i ma l , a n a c c o m p a n y i n g shock pa ra lyzes t h e prey.

TOA D F I S H , found o n m u d d y bottoms of s h a l l ow water,

feed on crustacea n s , m o l l u s k s , a n d s m a l l fi s h e s . Leng t h ,

t o 1 f t . The m a l e g u a rd s the eg g s , w h i c h m a y rest i n a n
o l d she l l o r even i n a t i n
Toa d f i s h g u a r d i n g e g g s
c a n o r bot t l e . H e b i tes v i
c i o u s l y w h i l e o n d u t y. M i d
s h i p m a n (see a l so p . 5 1 ) ,
of toadfish fa m i l y, lays and
guards eggs i n m u c h the
same m a n ner.

K e l p Gree n l i n g

G R E E N L I N G S are a P a c i fi c fa m i l y most a b u nd a n t i n

waters n o r t h of Monterey. Severa l s p e c i e s , m o re o r l e s s

c o m m o n , w h i c h g row to about 20 i n . long , a re a l l d e s i r
a b l e g a m e fi sh . T h e y a re t a k e n c l ose to shore i n a l l
sea s o n s b u t never a ppea r i n l a rge enough n u m bers to be
i m po r t a n t in commerc i a l fisher ies . Gree n l i n g s are char
acterized by one or two pa i r s of sma l l fleshy fl a p s on the
top of the head . The K e l p G reen l i n g , i l l u strated a bove ,
is sometimes ca l led Seatrout or Rockfi s h , t h o u g h both
these n a mes are m i s l e a d i n g . The male and fema l e d i ffer
i n c o l o r and form of m a r k i ngs-an u n c o m m o n occu rrence
among fishes . Rock Green l i n g s , or Red Rock Tro u t , a re
usually brown (some are g reen); they a re northern fishes .
The Wh ite-spot ted Green l i n g is more c o m m o n i n Oregon
waters a n d n o r t hward .

1 42

K E L P F I S H E S represent a n other Pacific

fa m i l y. Most species a r e fou n d a l l a l o n g the
coast near rocky shores a n d i n k e l p bed s .
Most a re s m a l l fi shes ( 4 t o 8 i n . l o n g ) w h i c h
have l i t t l e e c o n o m i c i m po r t a n ce a n d even
lack c o m m o n n a m e s . The k e l pfishes are re
lated to the b l e n n i es ( p p . 1 44- 1 4 5 ) .
G i a n t Ke l pfi s h , the species i l l u strated
a bove and bel ow, i s much l a rger than its
relat ives- 1 8 to 24 i n . l o n g . I t i s often c a u g h t
by a n g l ers a n d fi n d s its w a y i nto commerc i a l
nets . I t i l l u strates t h e protective co l o r a t i o n
s e e n so o f t e n i n fi shes . T h o s e l i v i n g i n ke l p
bed s , a bove , a re red d i sh a n d m o t t l ed , s o
they b l e n d with the swayi n g k e l p s . Those
l iving i n eelgrass, bel ow, are s i lver a n d
g reen , m a tc h i n g those surround i n g s . T h i s
ke l pfi s h i s ed i b l e , t h o u g h the flesh m a y have
the same g reen c o l o r a s the s k i n .

B L E N N I E S a n d G O B l E S are two large fa m i l i es of

s ma l l fi shes, d iffi c u l t to identify, yet seen by pract i ca l l y

everyone w h o h a s wa l ked a l o ng t h e beaches. These are
the fishes of tide poo l s , oyster bed s , a n d m u d fl ats . They
l ive i n e e l g rass a n d i n the s ha l l ows a n d i n lets . Some
prefer brackish o r even fresh water. N o n e i s of speci a l
eco n o m i c i m portance, yet a l l are o f va l u e a s pa r t o f the
nevere n d i n g cyc l e of m a r i n e l i fe .
B L E N N I E S i n c l ude a group of tropica l species and
a n other group of arctic spec i e s . The northern ones are
l a rg er. Some b l e n n ies a re sca led; others have na ked
s k i n s . Some have fl eshy fi l a ments or fr i nges on their
hea d s . The ve ntra l fi ns a re redu ced to one s p i n e and a
few soft rays . They eat any sma l l a n i m a l s .
GO B l E S a l so a bo u n d i n sha l l ow water, espec i a l l y a l ong

southern shores . They a re both scaled a n d n a ked , and

all have ventra l fi ns c l osely j o i ned o r m o d i fied to form
a s u c k i n g d i s c , a s i n their relatives, the c l i ngfishes .

STR I P E D B L E N N Y occurs as far

north a s New Yor k in s h a l l ow
water. lays eggs i n empty s h e l l s
a n d r o c k crev i c e s . U p to 5 i n .

1 44

F R E C K L E D B L E N N Y is fou nd c l o se
to shore from the C a ro l i nas a l l
around t h e G u l f to Tex a s . C o m
m o n i n t i d e poo l s . U p to 3 i n .

SHARPTA I L GOBY l ives in brack

i s h o r s a l t water i n bays along the
G u l f C o a s t . L e n g t h , about 6 i n .
somet i me s u p t o 1 0 i n .

FAT S L E E P E R , rel ated t o the Go

b i e s , t h r ives in fre s h , s a l t , or
brackish water. Occa s i o n a l l y
large enough t o b e a food fi s h .

LONGJAW M U D S U C K E R, a P a
cific Go by, i s m u c h i n d e m a n d a s
a b a i t fi s h . Ver y h a r d y . L e n g t h , 3
to 4 i n . ; rarely l a rger.

1 45

WO L F F I S H E S represent a fa m i l y that rese m b les ove r

g rown b l e n n i e s w i t h l a rge , tusk- l i ke teeth . All a re n o r t h

ern fi s h e s , with a preference f o r a rc ti c w a t e r s on both
sides of the At l a n t i c . Wo l ffi shes have a s i n g l e , long
d o rsa l fi n , l i ke b l e n n ies, but the tips of the spines are
sof t . Two species occ u r north of C a pe C od , one off N ova
Scot i a , and one a l ong our P a c ific Coast.
At l a n t i c Wo l f f i s h i s ma rked by about a dozen
dark ve r t i c a l bars a l ong i ts sides . Found from t h e s h o re
l i ne out to depths of 500 or 600 f t . , i t i s a s o l itary fi s h ,
feed i n g on s e a u r c h i n s , m o l l u s k s , a n d c r u stacea n s . I t i s
often c a u g h t i n c o d nets a n d i s sometimes taken on l i nes .
It is a v i c i o u s fi sh a n d can bite da ngero u s l y. length , to 6
f t . ; average is less tha n 3 . We i g h t , to 40 l b . Good
eating; it i s caught commerc i a l l y i n q u a n t i t y a n d often
sold a s "ocean catfi s h . "
1 46

S U R F P E R C H E S , as their n a m e i nd i cates, form a fa m i l y

o f perc h - l i ke fi shes, m a n y l iv i n g i n t h e s u r f , fo u n d a l l
a l ong t h e P a c i fi c C o a s t . S o m e prefer deeper water; a n d
there i s a s i n g l e fresh -water species . S u r fperches bea r
their yo u n g a l ive . Ad u l ts are s ma l l , com pressed fi shes,
usua l l y less t h a n 1 f t . l o n g a n d weig h i n g n o t m u c h over
1 l b . Often c a u g h t by sports m e n , they a l so form a m i n o r
p a r t of the commerc ia l ha u l . T h e th ree spec ies i l l ustrated
on this page are representat ive of the fa m i ly, and are
among the best k n own and most commo n .

SARGAS S U M F I S H are s ma l l ang lers w h i c h l i ve i n the

fl o a t i n g sargassum bed s of the warmer Atlant i c . Their
c o l o r a n d adapta t i o n s , such a s the a r m l i ke pectora l fi n s ,
e n a b l e them to t h r ive i n t h i s l i m i ted env i r o n m en t . These
fi s h g row to a bout 6 i n . , with large mouths and d eep
bod i e s . They feed o n other fi shes often a s l a rge a s they.
Sargassumfish sometimes d r ift north i n patches of weeds
and are found past C a pe Cod . Their g i l l open i n g s are
two s m a l l open i n g s , l ocated be h i n d the pectora l fi n s .
WART E D S EA D E V I L i s a deep-sea a n g l er found 2 0 0 t o
6 0 0 fathoms d own , or more. N ote t h e l u m i nous "bait"
w h i c h d a n g l es. i n front of the mouth . Ma les a re para s i t i c ,
attac h i ng them selves to the fem a l e s a n d g rowi n g f a s t t o
them , t h e i r eyes a n d d i gestive o r g a n s cea s i n g to de
ve l o p . Severa l spec ies; 6 to 40 i n . l ong .

GOOS E F I S H is the b i g g est a n g ler a n d is odd i n m a n y

other way s . I t h a s a s m a l l g i l l open i n g beh i n d a r m l i ke
pecto ra l fi n s l i ke the Sargassumfish a n d Batfi s h . Its first
dorsal spine has become a long rod , a t t h e end of w h i c h
i t d a n g les a " b a i t " w i t h w h i c h i t h a s b e e n observed t o
attract o t h e r fi shes by fl a s h i n g it back a n d f o r t h l i ke a
worm before its vast mouth; it opens its m o u t h , then
sucks its p rey d own i nto its g u l l et . The g o o sefi s h can
swa l l ow a fi s h a l most a s big a s itself a n d sometimes
does; o n e spec i men conta i ned seven ducks. Goosefi sh
grow 2 to 4 f t . l o n g a n d weigh u p to 5 0 l b .
S H O R T N O S E BAT F I S H , a n
other a n g l er, l i ke t h e goosefi s h
has pectora l fi n s at the e n d of a
bony joint. Batfi s h are small ( 8
t o 1 2 in . ) , a n d are found i n warm
wa ter s .

Shortnose Batf l s h

1 49

R E D DORY grades from p i n k

t o s i lvery. F i n s yel l o w i s h , e x
cept b l a c k a n d w h i te ven
tra l s . 600 to 1 , 200 ft. d e e p .

D E E P - S E A F I S H E S is a term often a p p l ied to spec ies

l ivi n g below the 1 00 fathom (600 f t . ) l eve l . Here, many
fi shes and m a r i ne i nvertebrates a re c o l o red a bright red .
The si lvery c o l o r s a n d s howy m a r k i n g s of s h a l l ow-water
fishes a re usua l l y lacking . Below 200 fathoms more fishes
tend to be b l a c k or dark brown in c o l o r and possess
l u m i nous organs (see p. 5 1 ) . Some have l a rge m o uths
a n d expa n d a b l e stomachs a n d can swa l l ow fi shes l a rger
than themselve s . Other deep-sea fi shes have a long ten
ta c l e e n d i ng i n a " b a i t" that dangles befo re the i r m o uth
a n d a t tracts their p rey.
The deep-sea bottom may be covered with forests of
sponges, c r i n o i d s and other i nvertebrates w h i c h provide
food for fi shes . Deeper bottoms may be soft m u d and
fi shes l i v i n g there may have fi n s ending i n long fi l a m ents
to support them a bove the soft ooze that covers m i l e
after m i l e o f ocea n floor. less i s known o f t h e l i fe h i sto
ries of the fi shes l iving here .

1 50

Dolphin

A N I M A L S M I STA K E N
F O R F I S H ES
F I S H ES make up only a sma l l frac
tion of the a n i m a l l ife of the sea,
which ra nges from m ic roscopic pro
tozoa to wha l es. Many forms of
marine l ife are obviously not fishes.
Some others are fi s h l ike and are a
source of confusion. Foremost of
these a re the marine m a m ma ls: the
dolphins, porpoises, blackfishes,
a n d wha les. Whales a n d their kin
have horizonta l fl ukes, while fishes
h ave vertical ta ils. The m a m m a l s
are warm-blooded air breathers
a n d m ust come up for a i r sooner or
later.
Other a n i m a l s confused with
fishes are not fi s h l ike but often have
the word "fish" as part of their
n a me. The starfish has no backbone
l ike fishes, but has stiff arms and a
spiny, limy ski n . J e l lyfi shes lack a
backbone a lso a n d are m uch sim
pler than fishes. Sea Snakes are not
fi shes, nor are the free-sw i m m ing
marine worms a n d other ocean a n i
m a l s without backbones. For more
a bout them rea d SEASHORES (p.
1 53).

B O O K S TO

READ

F I S H E S are perhaps more d iffi c u l t to identify than other

backboned a n i m a l s . Accurate identifica t i o n depends on
a c a refu l study of the fi shes, with atte n t i o n to the struc
ture of the fi n s , teeth , kind of sca les , a n d n u m ber of
rows of them .
Li sted be l ow i s a group of books to e n r i c h you r rea d
i n g a bo u t fi s h e s . Most are non -tech n i ca l ; the rest a r e
nea r l y so .
Breder, C h a r l e s M. J r. , f i E L D BOOK OF MARI N E f i S H E S OF T H E ATLANTIC
COAST, G. P. P u t n a m 's Sons, New Yo r k , 1 94 8 . A c o m p l ete but
necessa r i l y b r i ef guide to A t l a n t i c spec i e s . Photographs a n d
drawi n g s .
C u r t i s , B r i a n , THE L I F E STORY OF THE f i S H , Harco u r t , B r a c e , a n d C o . ,
N ew Yo r k , 1 94 9 . A very rea d a b l e , i nformal b i o l og y of fi shes-what
they a r e , how they l ive, brea t h e , swi m , a n d see . Adds another
d i m e n s i o n to fi sh i d e n t i fi ca t i o n .
Hubbs a n d Log ier, f i S H E S OF T H E GR EAT LAKES REGION , C r a n brook I n s t i
t u t e of S c i e n c e , B l oomfi e l d H i l l s , M i ch . , 1 94 7 . A system a t i c reg i o n a l
guide.
LaMonte, Francesco, N O R T H AMERICAN GAME f i S H E S , D o u b l e d a y a n d
C o . , New Yo r k , 1 94 5 . A c o n c i se g u i d e to f r e s h - a n d s a l t-water
game fi shes w i t h some fi ne c o l o red p l ates a n d a table of record
we i g h t s .
Roed e l , P h i l M . , C OMMON O C E A N f i S H E S OF T H E CALIFORNIA
COAST, State of Calif. Dept . of Fish a n d G a m e , Sac
ramento, C a l i f . , 1 95 3 . ( F i sh B u l l e t i n No. 91 ) . An
exce l l e n t g u i d e . D i rect, i nformat ive text a n d fine
photog r a p h i c i l l u strat i o n s .
S m i t h , P h i l i p W. , THE f i S H E S OF I LLINOIS, p u b l i shed for
the I l l . State N a t . H i s t . Survey by the U n iv. of I l l .
Press, U rb a n a , C h i c a g o , Londo n , 1 97 9 . E x c e l l e n t
for fresh-water fish i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a n d ecology.
Zim a n d I n g l e , SEASHO R E S , A Golden Guide, G o l d e n
Press, N ew Yo r k , 1 95 5 . A beg i n ner's g u i d e to a l l
m a r i n e l i fe of the shores e x c e p t fishes, hence a h e l pf u l
s u p p l e m e n t . F u l l - c o l o r i l l ustra t i o n s .
CLING FISH, a 4-in.
relative o f b l e n n i e s .

(ventral v i ew)

WHER

Study fi shes i n deta i l at every opportun ity. If yo u a re a

good swi m m e r, try s k i n d iv i n g . V i s i t a q u a r i a a n d m u
seu m s to s e e l iv i n g spec imens a n d prepa red exh i b i t s .
Shedd Aqua rium, Ch icago, I l l .
Marine Stud ios, Morinelond, F l a .
Stei nhart Aquarium, Son Francisco, Calif.
John Pennekomp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, F l o .
Municipal Aqua r i u m , Key West, F l a .
American Museum o f Natural H i story, New York City
Chicago N atural H istory Museum, Chicago, I l l .

Ma r i n e b i o l o g i c a l sta t i o n s operate i n c o n n e c t i o n with

u n iversities a n d government conserva t i o n d e p a r t ments .
Resea rch fac i l ities a n d cou rses may be ava i l a b l e . I n q u i re
before v i s i t i n g .
U n iv. of Mich . Bioi . Statio n , Douglas Lake, C heboyg a n , M i c h .
U n iv. of Okla . B i o i . Station, L a k e Texoma, Willis, O k l o .
U n iv. of M i n n . L a k e ltaska Bioi . Station, L a k e ltaska P. O . , M i n n .
Franz Stone l n s t . of Hydrobiology, Put-in- Bay, O h i o
Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Moss.
Duke Un iv. Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, N . C .
Univ. o f Miami Marine Laboratory, Coral Gobles, F l o .
Gulf Coast Resea rch Laboratory, Ocean Springs, Miss.
I nstitute of Morine Science, Port Aransas, Tex .
Scripps I nstitute o f Oceanography, L a J o l l a , Calif.
Friday Harbor Laboratories, U n iv. of Was h . , Friday Harbor, Was h .

CIE

The following pages list the scientific names of t he spec ies i l l ustrote d . The number
refers to the pages on which the fi sh is pictured; then follows a name or part of a
nome that d i stingui shes the fish from others on that page; then the scientifi c
name-first t h e g e n u s , t h e n the spec i e s . If the g e n u s name i s abbreviated, i t i s t h e
s a m e as the o n e j u s t a bove i t . Atlantic, Pacific, and fresh-water species a r e
identified by A , P , and F.
1

Trichiurus lepturus, A

2 Trout, Salmo aguabonita, F

8

1 54

Triggerfi s h ; B a l i stes vetu la, A

Morone saxat i l i s , A P F

1 9 Lam prey : Petromyzon marinus,

AF
Trout: Sa lvel i n u s namoycush, F
Hagfi s h , Myx i n e g l u t i nosa, A

22 Hammer, Sphyrna zygaena , AP

Sandbar< Ca rcharh i n u s plumbeus, A
Dogfi s h , Squalus acanthias, AP
Nurse: Ginglymostoma cirratum ,
A
23 White: Carcharadon carcha r i a s ,
AP
Tiger: Galeocerdo cuvier i , AP
Thresher, Alopias vulpinus, AP
Soupfin, Galeorhinus zyapterus, P
24 Rhincadon typus, A P
25 Manta b i rostr i s , A
26 Barndoor: Raja laev i s , A
l i t t l e S k a t e , R . erinacea, A
Torpedo, Torpedo nobiliana, A
27 B l untnose: Dasyatis soy i , A
Round , U rolophus h a l l e r i , P
Butterfl y : Gymnura micrura, A
28 Sawfi s h : Pristis pectinate, A
Guitarli s h , R h i nobatos lentiginosus, A
29 Ratli s h , Hydrolagus c o l l i e i , P
Chimaera, C h i maera affi n i s , A
32 Al l . Sturgeon, Aci penser oxyrhynchus, A F
Shovel nose St . , Scaphirhynchus
platorhynchus spathu l a , F
Paddleli s h , Polyodon spath u l a , F
33 longnose: Lepisosteus osseus, F
Shortnose, l. platosta m u s , F
34 E lops saurus, A
35 Tarpon, Mega lops atlantica, A
Bonefis h , A l b u l a vulpes, A
36 Alosa pseudoharengus, AF
37 A. sap i d i u i m a , A P F
38 Sardinops sagax, P
39 Brevoortio tyra n n u s , A
40 Herring, C lu pea harengus, A
Shad , Dorosoma ceped i a n u m ,
AF
4 1 B a y , Anchoa mitch i l l i , AF
Northern: E n g r a u l i s mordax , P
42 C h u m , Oncorhynchus keta, PF
P i n k , 0. gorbuscha, A P F
43 C h i nook, 0. tshawytsch a , P F
Coho, 0. k i sutch, A P F
44 0. nerka, P F
45 Sebago, Atlantic, Salmo salar,
AF
Cutthroat, S. c l a r k i , P F
47 Brook, Salve l i n u s font i n a l i s , AF
Rainbow, Salmo g a i rdneri , APF
Dolly, Salve l i nus m a l m a , P F
lake Tr. , S . namaycus h , F

48 lake Wh . , Coregonus c l upeaform i s , AF

Shortjaw, C . zenithicus, F

49 C i sco' C . a rted i i , F

50
51
52
53
54
55
56

57
58
59

60
61

62
63
65

66

R a u n d Wh . , Prosopi u m cylindraceum , F
Gray l i n g , Thyma l l u s a r c t i c u s , F
Rainbow: Osmerus mordox,
APF
Whitebait, Allosmerus elongotus, P
Hatchet, Sternoptyx diaphana,
A
lantern, Myctophum affi ne, A
Anguilla rostrate , A F
Conger: C o nger ocea n i c u s , A
Worm : Myroph i s punctatus, A
Gree n : Gymnothorax funebri s ,
A
Spotted , G . moringa, A
Smallmouth, lctiobus buba l i s , F
Bigm, I. cyrpi n e l l u s , F
White: Catostomus commersoni, F
Hog, Hypente l i u m n i g r i c a n s , F
Q u i l l back, C a r piodes cyprinus, F
Redhorse : Moxostoma macrolepidotum, F
Cyprinus carpio, F
Dace, C l i nostomus elongatus, F
Creek Ch. , Semotilus atromaculatus, F
Golden Sh. , Notemigonus crysoleucas, F
Thickta i l C h u b , G i l a crassicauda, F
Dace, Phox i n u s erythroga ster, F
Emerald Sh . , Notropis atherinoides, F
C u t l i p s : E x o g l o s s u m max i l l i n gua, F
lcta lurus punctatus, F
Tom: Noturus m i u r u s , F
Stonecat, N . flavus, F
F lathead, Pylodictis o l i v a r i s , F
B l u e , lcta l u r u s furcatus, F
B l a c k , I. m e l a s , F
Yel low, I . nata l i s , F
B rown , I . n e b u l o s u s , F
Gofftopsa i l : Bagre m a r i n u s , A
Hardhea d , Arias fe l i s , A
P i k e : Esox l u c i u s , F
Musk e l l ' E . masqui nongy, F
Grass : E. americanus, F
C h a i n , E . n i ger, F
Banded, F u n d u l u s diaphanus, F
Sheepshead, Cyprinodon variegotus, AF
Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, A F
Mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, AF

1 55

67 Need le, Strongyluro marina , A

68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77

78

79
80
81
82
83
84

85
86

87

1 56

Ha lfbea k , Hyparhamphus un ifas

ciatus, AP
Ballyhao, Hemiramphus brasiliensis, A
Cypselurus melanurus, A
Blackwing, Hirundichthys rondeleti, AP
California, Cypselurus califarnicus, P
Margi ned , C. cyanopterus , A
lata Iota , F
Gadus morhuo, A
Tomcod, Microgodus tomcod , AF
Pollock, Pollochius virens, A
Melonogrammus aeglefi n n s , A
Merluccius b i l i neoris, A
White, U rophyc i s ten u i s , A
Red , U . chuss, A
Southern, U. fl oridono, A
Trinectes maculatus, A
Smoot h , l i opsetta putnam i , A
Plaice, H i ppog lossoides plotes
soides, A
South . F l ounder. P a ro l i chthys
lethostigmo, A
Co l . H a l i but, Porol i chthys co l i
fornicus, P
Starry F l . , Plotichthys stellatus, PF
Atl . Ha l . , H i ppaglossus hi ppo
glossus, A
Brook, C u laeo inconsto n s , F
Threespine: Ga sterosteus aculea
tus, A P F
Seahorse, Hippocampus erectus, A
P i pefi s h , Syngnothus fuscus, A
Mullet, Mug i l cepho l u s , AP
Inland, Menidio ber y l l i n o , AF
Brook, labidesthes sicculus, F
Grunion: Leuresthes tenuis, P
Jocksmelt, Atherinopsis califor
niensis, P
Poe . ' Sphyroeno orgenteo , P
Great, S. barracud a , A
At I . , Scomber scombrus, A
Chub, S. japonicus, A P
Spa n i s h : Scomberomorus mocu
lotus, A
K i n g , S. covo l l o , A
Wa h o o : Aca n t h o cy b i u m s o l a n
deri , A
little Tunny, Euthynnus o l letteratus, A
Skipjack , E. pel o m i s , AP
Albacore, Thunnus a l o lunga, AP
Bonito, Sardo sarda , A
B luefi n , Thunnus thynnus, AP
Yel l owfi n , Thunnus a l bacores, A P

88 B l u e ' Makoiro nigricons, A P

Striped, Tetrapturus a u d a x , P
White, T. o l b i d u s , A

89 lstiophorus platypterus, A P
90 Swordfi s h , Xiphios glad i u s , AP
li zardfi s h , Synodus foete n s , A

91 Coryphoena h i ppurus, A P
92 B u t t e r : Poronotus triacanthus,
A
Harvest, Pepr i l u s o lepidotus, A

93 Moonfi s h , Selene seto p i n n i s , A

lookdow n : S. vomer, A

94 Crevo l l e , Coronx hi ppos, A

Amberjack, Seriolo dumeri l i , A

95 J a c k : Trachurus symmetr i c u s , P
Yel l owta i l , Seriola l o l a n d e i , P
F lorida Pompano, Trachi notus
caro l i n u s , A
Permit, T. folcotus, A
96 Pi lotfi s h , N o ucrotes ductor, AP
Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, A
97 Perch, Perea flovescens, F
Walleye, Stizostedion vitreum, F
R a i n bo w : E t h e o s t o m a c a e r u
leum, F
Johnny, E . nigrum, F
98 Archop l i tes i n terruptus, F
99 l a r g e m o u t h , M i c r o p t e r u s s o l
moides, F
Smallmouth, M. dolomieu i , F
Spotted , M. punctulotus, F
1 00 Lepom i s macroc h i r u s , F
1 0 1 Pumpkinseed , l. g i bbosus, F
Green , l. cyane l l u s , F
longear , l. mego lotis, F
1 02 l. m icrolophus, F
1 03 Spotted , l. punctotus, F
Wormouth, Choenobryttus gulosus, F
Boss' Amblopl ites rupestr i s , F
1 04 Block: Pomoxis nigromoculatus, F
White, P. a n n u l o r i s , F
1 06 Giant, Stereolepis g i g a s , P
White, Marone chrysops, F
1 07 W h . Perch , M. americana , A F
Yel . B a s s : M . m i s s i s s i p p i e n s i s , f
1 08 Block, Centropristis striata, A
K e l p : Paralabrax clathratus, P
1 09 Warsaw, Epinephelus nigritus, A
J ewfi s h , E. itojoro , A
1 1 0 Yel lowfi n , Mycteroperco vene
nosa , A
Red, E p i nephelus moria, A
Block, Mycteroperco bon o c i , A
1 1 1 Snook , Centroparnus undecimolis, AF
Tripletoil, lobotes surinomensis, A

1 1 2 Lutjanus a padus, A
1 1 3 Red , L . campechanus, A
1 14
115

1 16
117
1 18
1 19
1 20
121
1 22
1 23
1 24

1 25
1 26
1 27
1 28
1 29
1 30

131

Gray, L. g r i seus, A F
Yellow, Ocyurus chrysurus, A
Anisotremus virginicus, A
White, Haemulon p l u m i e r i , A
B l uestripe d , H . sciurus, A
Tomtate: H . auroli neatum , A
Piglish, Orthopristis chrysoptera, AF
Scup' Stenotomus chrysops, A
Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus, AF
Jolt, Calamus bajonado, A
P i n : Lagodon rhomboides, AF
Opaleye, Girella nigricans, P
Chub, Kyphosus sectatrix, A
Silver Jenny, Eucinastomus gula, A
Weakfis h , Cynoscion rega l i s , A
Spotted , C . nebulosus, AF
Bass: Atractoscion nobi l i s , P
At I . , Micropogonios undulatus, A
Spotfi n , Roncador steorns i , P
Red , Scioenops ocellatus, AF
Black, Pogonias crom i s , A
So. King: Menticirrhus americanus,
A
Corbina , M. undulatus, P
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps, A
Sea Rave n : Hemitripterus americanus, A
Scu l p i n , Myoxocepha lus octodecemspinosus, A
Cabezon : Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, P
Scu l p i n , Coitus ba i r d i , F
Rob i n : P r i onotus scitulus, A
Gurnard, Dactyloplerus volitans, A
Lump, Cycl opterus lumpus, A
Sna i l , Liparis atlanticus, A
C h i l i , Sebasles good e i , P
Bocacci o : 5 . pauc i s p i n i s , P
Plumed: Scorpaena grandicor
nis, A
Ocean P. : Sebastes m a r i n u s , A
Hagfish, Lachnalaimus maximus, A
Tautog : Tautoga o n i t i s , A
Sheephead , Semicossyphus
pulcher, P
Queen : Hol aconthus c i l i a r i s , A
Spotfi n , C h aetodon ocel latus, A
French, Pomacanthus paru, A

1 32 Parrot: Scarus guaca m a i a , A

Spade, C haetod ipterus Iaber, A
Sgt . , Abudeldul saxat i l i s , A

1 33 Stoplight, Sparisoma vi r i d e , A

1 34
1 35
1 36
1 37
1 38
1 39
1 40

141
1 42
1 43
1 44

1 45

1 46
1 47

1 48
1 49
1 50
151

Blueheo& Thalassomo bilasciatum, A

Razor: Hemipteronotus novacula, A
Reef, C h r o m i s marginatus, A
Ocean: Canthidermis sufflamen,
A
Gray, B a l i stes capriscus, A
Orange, AI uterus schoepli , A
Planeheod , Monoconthus hispidus, A
Cowlish, Lactophrys quodricornis, A
Trunkfis h : L. tr-igonus, A
Southern, Sphoeroides nephelus, A
Smooth, Lagocepha lus laevigaIus, A
Porcupi n e ' D i odon hystri x , AP
Burr, C h i l o mycterus schoepli , A
Mola m a l a , A P
Sharksucke" Echeneis naucrates, A
Starga zer : Astroscopus guttaIus, A
Midsh i p m a n ' Porichthys plectrod o n , A
Toadli s h , Opsanus beta , A
Hexagro mmos decogra m m u s , P
Heterostichus rostratus, P
Striped, C hasmodes bosq u i anus, A
Frec k l e d , H y p s o b l e n n i u s i o n !has, A
Naked , Gobiosoma bosci , AF
Shorptail, Gobionellus hostatus, A
Sleeper, Dormilator moculatus, A
Long, G i l l ichthys mirabilis, P
Anarhichas l u p u s , A
White, Pha nerodon lurcatus, P
Black, E m b i otoca jackson i , P
Barred: Amphistichus argenteus, P
Sargassum : H i strio h i s t r i o , A
Seadev i l : C r yptopsaras coue s i ,
A
Goose : Lophius americanus, A
Bat, Ogcocepha l u s nasutus, A
Zenion rose u s , A
Buckler: Zenopsis conchifera, A
Little, Zen i o n h o l o l e p i s , A
Scorp . : Setarches parmatus, A
Barbier: Hemanthias viva n u s , A

1 57

I N DEX
Asterisks ( * ) designate pages where fishes are pictured . Keep i n m i nd that i n this
i ndex both preferred and a l ternate names are l i sted, but the pictures are
captioned with the preferred names only.
Adaptations of fishes, 7
Al bacores, * 8 6
Alev i n , * 44
Alewife, * 3 6 , 3 7
Amateur activities, * 1 6
Amberjac k , * 9 4 , 95
Anchovies, * 4 1
Angelfishes, * 1 3 1 , 1 3 2
Ang lers, * 1 48 , * 1 49
Argentine, 50
Balance, sense of, 7
Bal lyhoo , 67
Barracudas, * 1 0, * 8 3
Basses, 9 8 , * 9 9
K e l p , * 1 08
largemouth, 9 8 , * 99
r a i s i n g , 1 05
Rock, 1 02 , * 1 03
Sea , 1 06 , * 1 08 ,
* 1 09
Sma l l mouth, 9 8 , * 9 9
Spotted , 9 8 , * 9 9
Striped , * 8
s u r f fi s h i n g for,
* 1 07
Temperate, * l 06,
* 1 07
White , * 1 06 , 1 07
Yellow, * 1 07
Batfi sh, * 1 49
B l ackfi s h , * 1 5 2
B l e n n i e s , 1 43 , * 1 44 ,
1 46 , 1 53
B l uefi s h , * 9 6
B l ueg i l l s , * 1 00, 1 05
B l uehead, 1 30 , * 1 33
Bocacc i o , * 1 2 8
Bonefi s h , * 1 0 , 34- * 3 5
Boni tos, * 86
Bony fishes, * 30 - * 3 1
Bottom fishes, * 1 0
Bowfi n , 3 1
Bra i n structure, * 7
Branch Herring , * 3 6
Bream , * 1 00, 1 03 ,
*117
Buffa los, * 5 5 , 60
B u l l heads, 60, * 6 2

158

Burbot, * 70
Burrfi s h , * 1 3 8 , 1 39
Butterfish, * 1 1 , * 9 2
Butterfl yfi shes, * 1 3 1
Cabezon, * 1 25
Cand l efi sh, 50
Carp, 56, * 5 7 , 5 8 , 66
Co rpsuckers , * 5 6
Catfishes, 6 , * 1 0 ,
* 60- * 6 3
B l ue, * 6 1
Brind led Mad tom,
*61
Channe l , * 6 , * 6 0
Europea n , 60
F lathead , * 6 1
Gafftapsa i l , * 6 3
H a rdhea d , * 6 3
Marine, * 6 3
Ocean Catfi s h , * 1 46
Stoneca t , * 6 1
White, 60
Caviar, 3 2
C h i l i pepper, * 1 2 8
C h i maeras, * 29
Chubs, *58, * 5 9 , * 1 1 8
C i scas, 4 8 - 49
C l i ngfishes , 1 44 , * 1 5 3
Cad, * 6 , * 70 - * 7 2 , 7 3 ,
1 29
C o l l ecting fishes, 1 7
Conserva t i o n , 1 3
Corbina, * 1 2 2
Cowfi s h , * 1 36
Crappies, * 1 04
Creva l l e , * 94
Croakers, * 1 1 9- * 1 2 2
C u l t ivation of fi shes,
* 1 05
Cutlassfi s h , * 1 , 5 3
Dabs, 7 6 , * 77
Dace , * 5 8 , * 5 9
Damselfi s h , 1 3 2
Darters, * 9 7
Deep-sea fi shes,
* 1 50- * 1 5 1

Deve lopment of,

Cod, * 7 1
fishes, * 1 4- * 1 5
F lounder, * 76 - * 7 7
Dogfi s h , Spi ny, 1 0- * 1 1 ,
*22
D o l p h i n (fi s h ) , * 9 1
D o l p h i n (mamma l ) , * 1 52
Dorado, * 9 1
Do ry, * 1 50 , * 1 5 1
Drums, * 1 2 1 , 1 40
E e l larvae, * 5 2 , * 5 3
E e l s , * 6 , * 1 1 , * 5 2 - * 54
S l i me E e l , * 1 9
E g g cases, Skates', * 2 6
E g g s , guarded b y Toad
fi s h , * 1 4 1
E l ectric organs o n Starga zer, * 1 4 1
Eyesight of fi shes, * 7
Fa l se Al bacore, * 8 6
F a m i l y Tree, * 3 0- * 3 1
Fat Sleeper, * 1 45
F i e l d studies, 1 6
F i l elishes, * 1 35
F i shes:
adapta t i o n s , 7
and water, 1 0
as w i l d l ife, 1 3
balance, sense of, 7
bottom fi shes, * 1 0
bra i n structure, * 7
c o l l ect i n g , 1 7
cultiva t i o n , * 1 05
distribut i o n , 6
eyesight, * 7
field studies, 1 6
identificat i o n , 1 8
internal structure , * 9
major groups, * 4 - * 5
migrations, 1 0
names, 7
o r i g i n and development, * 1 4- * 1 5
parts of, * 8
pelagic fi shes, * 1 0
photog raphy, * 1 7

F ishes (cont . ) ,
poisonous, 33, 1 37
sca les, * 1 2
shapes, 1 1
speci a l studies, 1 8
tails, * 1 2
tank studies, 1 6
Fishing, 1 3
Fishing banks, New
England, *73
F latfishes, * 7 6 - * 7 8
F lounder, * 1 1 , * 76, * 77,
*78
F l ukes, 76
Flyingfishes, 67, *68- * 69,
1 26
Gars, * 3 3
Gizzard Shad , *40
Gobies, 3 1 , 1 44, * 1 45
Goldfish, * 5 7
Goosefish, * 1 49
Gouro m i , 3 1
Grayl i n g , *49
Greenlings, * 1 42
Groupers, * 1 09, * 1 1 0
Grunion, * 8 2
Grunts, * 1 1 4- * 1 1 5 , 1 1 7
Guitarfishes, * 2 8
Gurnards, F l y i n g , * 1 26
Haddock, * 73
Hagfishes, * 1 9
Hakes, * 74 , * 75
Halfbeaks, * 1 0, *67
Halibuts, 7 6 , * 78
Harvestfish, *92
Hatchetfish, * 5 1
Headfis h , * 1 39
Herring-like fishes, *34*35
Her r i n g s , 3 4 , * 3 6 - * 4 0 ,
4 1 , 87
Atlantic, *40
Branch, * 3 6
Lake, *49
Pacific, 40
Thread , 40
Hogchoker, * 76
Hagfish, * 1 30
Houndfish, 67
ldent. ol fishes, 1 8
Jack Mackere l , *95

Jacks, * 93- * 96
Jacksmelt, * 82
Jel lyfi sh, * 1 52
Jewfi shes, * 1 09
Kelpfishes, * 1 43
K i l l ifish, * 66
Kingfish, * 1 22
Ladyfis h , * 34
l a k e Herrin g , *49
Lampreys, * 1 9
Lanternfi sh, * 5 1
Latimeria, 3 1
Lings, 74, * 75
Lizardfi sh, *90
Lookdown, *93
lumi nescent fishes, * 5 1
Lumpfish, * 1 2 7
Lungfish, 3 1
Mackerel , * 1 0, * 1 1 ,
* 84- * 8 7 , 89
Atlantic, * 84
Cero, * 8 5
Chub, * 8 4
King, *85
Pai nted , 84
S i e r r a , 84
Spanish, * 84, 85
Wahoo, * 8 5
Madtom , * 6 1
Manta , * 2 0 , * 2 5
Marlins, * 8 8 , 90, 1 40
Menhaden , * 39, 89
Midshipman, 5 1 , * 1 4 1
Migrations ol fishes, 1 0
Milt, poisonous, 33
Minnows, *57-*59, 66
Mojarras, * 1 1 8
Moonfi s h , * 9 3
Morays, * 5 4
Mosqu itofi sh, * 66
Mossbunker, *39
Mudsucker, * 1 45
Mullets, * 8 1
Mummichog , * 66
Muskellunge, 64 , *65

Opa l eye, * 1 1 7
Pacific Sardine, * 3 8
Padd lefi sh, * 3 2
Parr, *44
Parrotfish, * 1 32 , * 1 33
Pelagic fishes, * 1 0
Perches, *97, 98, * 1 1 7
Ocean, * 1 29
Perm i t , *95
Photography, * 1 7
Pickere l , 64, *65
Pigfish, 1 1 4, * 1 1 5
Pike, 64, *IS5
P i lchards, * 3 8
P i l otfish, *49, *96
Pinfish, * 1 1 7
Pipefish, * 1 1 , *80
Plaice, * 77
Plankton, 1 3 , 1 05
Poisonous fishes, 3 3 , 1 37
Pollock, * 72
Pompanos, 92, 94, *95,
96
Ponds , farm, 1 05
Porcup i nefish , * 1 38 , 1 39
Porg ies, * 1 1 6, * 1 1 7, 1 1 8
Porkfish, * 1 1 4
Porpoise, * 1 52
Portuguese Man-of War,
* 1 52
Puffers, * 1 1 , * 1 37, 1 38
Pumpki nseed, * 1 0 1
Purse seining for sardines,
*38-*39
Quillback, * 5 6

Names ol fishes, 7
Needlefishes, *67

Ratfi shes, * 2 9
Rays, * 20 - * 2 1 , * 2 5 - * 2 8
Razorfish, 1 30, * 1 33
Redfi s h , * 1 29, * 1 30
Red horse, *56
Reef f i s h , 1 32 , * 1 33
Remoras, * 1 40
R i bbon Wor m , * 1 52
Rock Bass, 1 0 2 , * 1 03
Rockfish, * 1 42
Rockfi shes, * 1 28, 1 29
Rock Trout, 1 42
Roe, 32, 3 3 , 1 25

Ocean Catfish, 1 46
Ocean Perch , * 1 29
Ocean Sunfi s h , * 1 39

"Sacred Cod , " * 70

Sailfish, *89, 90
Sailor's Choice, * 1 1 7

159

S a l m o n , * 6 , * 4 2 - * 45 ,
46, 4 8 , 50
Atlant i c , * 45
Ch inook, * 43
C h u m , * 4 2 , 43
C o h o , *43
Dog, 43
H um p b ac k , 43
King, *43
Pacific, 4 2 , 45
Pink, *42, 43
Red, *44
Sebag o , * 4 5
S i lver, * 4 3
Sockeye, * 44
Sard i nes, * 3 8 , 8 7
p u r s e s e i n i n g f o r , * 3 8* 39
Sargassumfi s h e s , * 1 48 ,
1 49
Sorgo, 1 1 4
Sauger, 9 7
Sawfi s h , * 2 8
S c a l e s of fishes, * 1 2
S c h o o l m a ster, * 1 1 2
Scientific names, 1 54 - 1 57
Scorpionfishes, 1 2 8 ,
* 1 29 , * 1 5 1
S c r o d , 70
S c u l p i n s , * 1 24 , * 1 2 5 ,
1 26 , 1 2 8
Scup, * 1 1 6
Sea Basses, 96, 1 06 ,
* 1 08 , * 1 09 , 1 1 1 ,
*119
B l a c k , * 1 08
G i a n t , * 1 06
Grou per, * 1 09 , * 1 1 0
J ewfi s h e s , * 1 09
K e l p B a s s , * 1 08
Red Barbier, * 1 5 1
White, * 1 1 9
Seohorses, * 8 0
Seaperch e s , * 1 47
Sea Raven, * 1 24 , 1 25
Sea robi n s , * 1 26 , 1 28
Sea S na i l s , * 1 2 7
Sea S n a k e , * 1 5 2
Seatrout, * 1 1 9 , * 1 42
Sergeant M a j or, * 1 3 2
Shad, 36, * 3 7 , *40
S h a r k s , * 20- * 24 , 3 1 ,
1 40
Basking, 24
B l ue , 2 2

160

S h a r k s (cont . ) '
H a m merhead , * 2 2
Nurse, * 2 2
Sand bar, * 2 2
Smooth H a m m e rhead ,
*22
Soupfi n , * 2 3
Spiny Dogfi s h , * 2 2
Thresher, * 23
Ti ger, * 2 3
Whale, * 2 4 , 2 5 , 3 1
White, * 2 3
Sharksuckers, * 1 40
Sheephea d , 1 1 6 , * 1 30
She l l c racker, * 1 0 2
Shiners, *58, *59
S i lver Jen ny, * 1 1 8
S i lvers ides, * 8 1 , 8 2
Skates, * 2 6
Skin diving, * 1 6, 1 7
S k i p j a c k , * 8 6 , 87
S l eeper, * 1 45
Slime Eel, * 1 9
Smelts, *50, * 8 2
S m o l t , *44
Snappers, * 1 1 2 , * 1 1 3 ,
1 14
Snook, * 1 1 1
S o l e s , * 76
Spadefi s h , * 1 3 2
Squeteo g u e , * 1 1 9
Squ i d , 87
Starfi s h , * 1 5 2
Stargazers, 1 40 , * 1 4 1
S t i c k l e b a c k s , * 79
Stingarees, * 2 7
Stingrays, * 1 0 , * 2 7
Stonecat, * 6 1
Stumpknocker, * 1 03
Sturgeons, * 3 2
Suckers, 5 5 , * 5 6
S h a r k , 1 40
Sunfishes, * 9 8 , * 1 00* 1 04
Ocean, * 1 39
Surf fi s h i ng for bass,
* 1 07
Surfperc h , * 1 47
Swe l l fishes, * 1 3 7
Swordfi s h , * 90 , 1 4 0
Tank studies, 1 6
Ta rpon, * 6 , 34- * 35 , 40
Ta ste, sense of, 7
Ta utog, * 1 30

Te m perate Bosses, * 1 06 ,
* 1 07
G iant Sea B a s s , * 1 06
P a c i fic J ewfi s h , 1 06
S t r i ped B a s s , * 8 , 1 06
White B a s s , * 1 06 , 1 07
White Perch, 1 06, * 1 07
Ye l l ow Boss, 1 06 , * 1 07
Ten-pounder, * 3 4
T i l efi s h , * 1 2 3
Toadfi sh , * 1 4 1
Tom c o d , * 7 2
Tomtote, 1 1 4 , * 1 1 5
Top m i nnows, * 6 6
To p s m e l t , 8 2
To rpedo, * 2 6
Tri g g e r fi s h , * 2 , * 1 34
Tr i p l e ta i l , * 1 1 1
Tro p i c a l m a r i n e fishes,
1 32 - * 1 33
Tro u t , * 2 , * 6 , * 1 9 , 4 2 ,
* 45 - * 4 7
Brook, * 6, 46, * 47
Brown , 46
Cutthroat, *45
Dolly Va r d e n , 4 6 , * 47
Golden, * 2
Lake, * 1 9 , 4 6 , *47
R a i n bow, 4 6 , * 4 7
Red R o c k , 1 42
Stee l h e a d , 4 6 , * 4 7
Trunkfishes, * 1 3 6
Tu na fi s h i n g , 3 8
Tu n a s , 6 8 , * 8 6 - * 8 7
Tu rbots, 7 6
Viperfi s h , 5 1
Wa h o o , * 8 5
Wa l l eye , * 9 7
Wa l l eye P o l l o c k , 72
Wa r m o u t h , 1 02 , * 1 03
Wa rsaw, * 1 09
Wa rted Seodev i l , * 1 48
Water and fi shes, 1 0
Wea k fi s h , * 1 1 9
We i r, h e r r i n g , * 4 0
Whole S h a r k s , * 2 4 , 2 5 ,
31
W h i t e ba i t , * 5 0 , 8 1
W h i tefi s h , * 4 8 - * 49
W h i t i n g s , 74 , 1 2 2
Wo lffi shes, * 1 46
Wrasses, * 1 30 , * 1 3 3
Ye l l owta i l , * 9 5
N

FISHES
A GOLDEN GUIDE
HERBERT S. ZIM, Ph. D. , Sc. D. , an originator and former

editor of the Golden Guide Series, was also an author for

many years. Author of some ninety books and editor of
about as many, he is now Adjunct Professor at the Uni
versity of Miami and Educational Consultant to the Amer
ican Friends Service Committee and other organizations.
He works on educational, population and environmental
problems .

HURST H. SHOEMAKER, Ph . D. , Associate Professor of

Zoology Emeritus at the University of Illinois, has studied
at the Edmund Niles Huyck Preserve and at Stanford
University; conducted surveys of fish for the state of Illi
nois; and taught at the University of Chicago and the Gulf
Coast Research Laboratory. Dr. Shoemaker is Curator of
Fishes (volunteer) at the Museum of Natural History,
University of Illinois.
JAMES GORDON IRV ING

has exhibited paintings at

the American Museum of Natural History and the Na
tional Audubon Society. In the Golden Guide Series he
has illustrated Mammals, Birds, Insects, Reptiles and Am
phibians, Stars, Fishes, and Gamebirds.

GOLDEN PRESS NEW YORK

A GOL DEN GU I DE