Fish Identification for South Florida

Angular Sea Whip

Pterogorgia anceps

Size: The field guide reports 1 to 2 ft. (30 to 60 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Bushy branches have three or four blade-like flanges, producing a Y- or X-shaped cross section. Polyps emerge along shared edge grooves.

Bent Sea Rod

Eunicea flexuosa

Size: The field guide reports 6 in. to 1.5 ft. (15 to 45 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A bushy or candelabrum-shaped sea rod with abundant short terminal branches that maintain similar thickness along their length. Usually beige or ochre; other colors occur.

Blushing Star Coral

Stephanocoenia intersepta

Size: A numerical size range is withheld because the cited field guide gives inconsistent imperial and metric values. No silent conversion or replacement with a different measurement axis is made.

Small coral cups contain a distinctive oval, pin-head-like central columella. The contrast between the polyps and surrounding surface can change quickly as the polyps withdraw.

Boulder Brain Coral

Colpophyllia natans

Size: Colonies can be large and rounded, but a reliable maximum diameter was not established in the selected account. Coral diameter is not fish-style body length, so the size filter stays unassigned.

A boulder-like or encrusting colony with broad, winding valleys. Walls can be brown or gray, with matching or green valley floors; finely toothed septa and a narrow groove along wall tops are useful close-view clues.

Clubtip Finger Coral

Porites porites

Size: A numerical size range is withheld because the cited field guide gives inconsistent imperial and metric values. No silent conversion or replacement with a different measurement axis is made.

Stout fused branches end in rounded tips. Deeply recessed coral cups and coarse intervening skeleton create a rough surface.

Common Sea Fan

Gorgonia ventalina

Size: Nova Southeastern University describes fans at least 1 m across. That is a colony width, not a maximum body length, so it is not converted to a fish length band.

A broad, mesh-like fan, usually purple in Florida. Main branches taper upward; connecting branchlets form irregular or roughly square openings, with small polyp openings mainly along their sides.

Corky Sea Finger

Briareum asbestinum

Size: The field guide reports 0.5 to 2 ft. (15 to 60 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

One or several upright, unbranched rods rise from a shared encrusting base. Long extended polyps give the rods a furry outline.

Deepwater Sea Fan

Iciligorgia schrammi

Size: The field guide reports 1 to 4 ft. (30 to 120 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A stiff, flat fan with flattened branches that fork but do not reconnect. Terminal tips are indented or grooved.

Diffuse Ivory Bush Coral

Oculina diffusa

Size: The field guide reports Colony 1 to 12 in. (2.5 to 30 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Compact, sometimes low-lying clumps of thin branches fuse together. Small circular coral cups project above the branch surface.

Elkhorn Coral

Acropora palmata

Size: NOAA reports colonies reaching at least 6 ft high and 12 ft across. These are height and diameter, not fish-style body length, so the directory size band remains unassigned.

Broad, flattened antler-like branches rise from a central base. Living colonies are commonly golden tan or light brown with pale tips; the wide branches distinguish the familiar elkhorn form from slender staghorn.

Elliptical Star Coral

Dichocoenia stokesii

Size: The field guide reports 4 to 15 in. (10 to 38 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Massive rounded colonies or thick plates have evenly spaced coral cups. The fine skeletal ridges usually alternate neatly in two size orders.

Great star coral

Montastraea cavernosa

Size: Colonies can exceed 2 m across; individual skeletal cups are only millimeters wide.

Massive or plate-like colony with distinct raised cup-like corallites; compare the repeated cup structure rather than color alone.

Grooved Brain Coral

Diploria labyrinthiformis

Size: True valleys are described as roughly 5–8 mm wide. The neighboring ridge-top grooves vary in width even on one colony, so do not interpret every channel as a polyp valley.

Look for rounded brain-like colonies with deep winding valleys and conspicuously grooved ridge tops. The ridge-top grooves may look like a second set of valleys; tan to gray-brown or yellow-brown colors occur.

Grooved-Blade Sea Whip

Pterogorgia guadalupensis

Size: The field guide reports 0.5 to 2 ft. (15 to 60 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Flattened blades tend to branch in one plane; NSU contrasts these with the multi-flanged branches of angular sea whip.

Hidden Cup Coral

Phyllangia americana

Size: The field guide reports 0.25 to 1 in. (0.7 to 2.5 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Small encrusting groups have round, deeply cupped corallites with prominent skeletal partitions.

Knobby Cactus Coral

Mycetophyllia aliciae

Size: The field guide reports 6 to 18 in. (15 to 45 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Often circular plates with little valley development near the center. Thick toothed skeletal ridges surround mouths, sometimes in more than one row.

Lesser Starlet Coral

Siderastrea radians

Size: The Coralpedia description emphasizes small colonies but provides no verified maximum. The directory therefore leaves its size band unassigned rather than guessing from a photograph.

Usually a small, pale gray or tan encrusting colony with dark, sunken corallite centers. Thick, readily visible septa descend steeply into the cups; some colonies form free-living rounded balls.

Lobed Star Coral

Orbicella annularis

Size: NOAA places reproductive maturity at around 10 cm and typical growth near 1 cm per year. Neither value is a maximum colony diameter; no whole-animal length band is assigned.

A lobed or column-forming star coral. Compare the overall growth form with the closely related mountainous and boulder star corals; an attractive color photograph alone may not settle this species complex.

Massive Starlet Coral

Siderastrea siderea

Size: The field guide reports 1 to 6 ft. (0.3 to 2 m). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Encrusting or massive colonies, often reddish brown. Closely spaced skeletal partitions give the small coral cups a relatively smooth appearance.

Maze Coral

Meandrina meandrites

Size: The field guide reports Colony 1 to 3 ft. (30 to 90 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Thick plates or low masses have valleys radiating from the original growth point and repeatedly dividing while keeping similar widths.

Mountainous Star Coral

Orbicella faveolata

Size: NOAA reports maturity at roughly 10 cm and slow growth near 1 cm per year. These are developmental and growth measures, not a maximum diameter or a diver’s size-limit rule.

A massive mound with an uneven, rolling surface, smaller lobes and sometimes a skirt-like edge. Growth form supports identification, but compare other members of the Orbicella star-coral complex.

Mustard Hill Coral

Porites astreoides

Size: The field guide reports 6 in. to 2 ft. (15 to 60 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A lumpy mound or encrusting sheet, often yellow but also gray-brown or green. Tiny coral cups give a finer texture than many star corals.

Ridged Cactus Coral

Mycetophyllia lamarckiana

Size: The field guide reports 4 to 15 in. (10 to 38 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Solid rounded plates have broad shallow valleys spreading outward from the growth center, with one row of mouths in each valley.

Rose Coral

Manicina areolata

Size: The local identification guide lists Colony 2 to 6 in. (5 to 15 cm). Its measurement axis and life-stage basis are not stated, so this is a guide value rather than a verified maximum, test diameter, arm span or harvest size.

A small meandroid coral, with winding valleys rather than isolated star-like cups. Adult colonies may be free-living on sediment instead of remaining cemented to reef rock.

Rough Cactus Coral

Mycetophyllia ferox

Size: NOAA reports a maximum colony size of 50 cm. The local guide instead lists 30–60 cm without a clear measurement axis. These figures are retained as different source claims, not silently reconciled.

An encrusting plate made of many polyps. NOAA describes grey and brown colonies, with reddish or green individuals also possible.

Smooth Flower Coral

Eusmilia fastigiata

Size: The account describes colony and corallite architecture but gives no verified maximum colony diameter. Its separated tubes are not separate species or a fish-style length measurement.

A cluster of widely separated tubular corallites forms a low dome. The colony is commonly yellow-brown or gray; skeletal septa alternate in two size orders, with the larger set projecting above the rim.

Smooth Star Coral

Solenastrea bournoni

Size: The local identification guide lists 4 to 18 in. (10 to 45 cm). Its measurement axis and life-stage basis are not stated, so this is a guide value rather than a verified maximum, test diameter, arm span or harvest size.

Massive domed colonies have conspicuous round corallite rims. Cream or tan surfaces can bear contrasting green or nearly colourless polyps.

Symmetrical Brain Coral

Pseudodiploria strigosa

Size: The cited description gives valley widths of about 6–9 mm. This is a small skeletal feature, not a colony diameter or a whole-animal size limit.

An evenly contoured brain coral with winding valleys, usually without a conspicuous groove across the ridge tops. Gray, greenish and purple-brown colonies occur, and valley floors can contrast with the walls.

Orange Cup Coral

Tubastraea coccinea

Orange-red skeletal cups bear yellow tentacles; an introduced non-photosynthetic coral.

Protected: no recreational harvest; observe without handling or disturbance.

Banded Coral Shrimp

Stenopus hispidus

Size: Body commonly 2–5 cm, reaching about 6 cm; antennae extend much farther.

Red-and-white bands, long white antennae and enlarged front-facing claws give this shrimp a memorable barber-pole look.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; Blue Heron Bridge closed

Blackpoint Sculling Crab

Cronius ruber

Size: The field guide reports Up to 3.5 in. (9 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

The FAO identification account describes a purplish-red crab with paler marbling and dark tips on claws and numerous spines.

Channel Clinging Crab

Maguimithrax spinosissimus

Size: Large adults can have a carapace around 15–18 cm wide; legs extend beyond it.

This large spider crab has a heavy, spiny shell, robust walking legs and substantial claws.

General harvest rules; not the stone-crab claw fishery

Common mantis shrimp

Pseudosquilla ciliata

Size: Reported upper size 9.5 cm; measurement basis is described in the profile, not a typical local size.

A checkerboard pattern on the stalked eyes is a useful clue.

Coral clinging crab

Mithrax hispidus

Size: No reliable whole-animal maximum established in this review; size filter left unassigned.

A bulky crab with a reddish-brown shell, prominent side spines and hairy legs that may show yellow bands.

Cuban stone crab

Menippe nodifrons

Size: No reliable whole-animal maximum established in this review; size filter left unassigned.

A stocky crab with large, powerful claws is a starting clue.

Flame box crab

Calappa flammea

Size: Up to 15 cm (5.9 in) carapace width in the Gray’s Reef guide; other guides report smaller limits.

Broad shell with irregular lengthwise flame-like streaks and large claws with toothed upper edges.

Florida Stone Crab

Menippe mercenaria

Size: Carapace width can reach roughly 13 cm; claw length is a separate legal measurement.

Large, powerful claws with dark tips dominate the appearance of a Florida stone crab.

Seasonal claw-only harvest: October 15–May 1; egg-bearing crabs protected

Giant Hermit Crab

Petrochirus diogenes

Size: Overall displayed extent can reach tens of centimeters; shell length is not body length.

Large reddish hermit with cream beadlike bumps and a larger right claw.

Golden coral shrimp

Stenopus scutellatus

Size: Body length up to about 4 cm (1.6 in); antennae are excluded.

Yellowish-green translucent body, long white antennae and enlarged third-leg claws with reddish-orange markings and pale joints.

Heart Urchin Pea Crab

Dissodactylus primitivus

Size: The field guide reports Up to 0.5 in. (1.2 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A small pea crab associated with heart urchins. Species identification needs closer comparison than host identity alone.

Indo-Pacific swimming crab

Charybdis (Charybdis) hellerii

Size: Reported female shell width 7.8 cm; no whole-animal length filter assigned.

A broad, roughly hexagonal shell has six teeth along each front-side edge.

Pederson Cleaner Shrimp

Ancylomenes pedersoni

Size: Body about 2–3 cm long; long white antennae extend beyond it.

A nearly transparent body carries delicate blue, violet and white markings, with long white antennae extending forward.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; Blue Heron Bridge closed

Rafael's peppermint shrimp

Lysmata rafa

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

The original description highlights exceptionally long walking legs and third maxillipeds for a shallow-water shrimp. Exact identification also uses rostral teeth, leg spines and segmented appendages.

Scaly-tailed mantis shrimp

Lysiosquilla scabricauda

Size: No reliable whole-animal maximum established in this review; size filter left unassigned.

Usually only the front of this burrow-dwelling stomatopod is visible.

Shameface heart crab

Cryptosoma balguerii

Size: Published carapace measurement is not a maximum whole-animal length; size filter unassigned.

Compact domed granular shell, prominent branchial bumps and short curved lateral spine.

Speckled Swimming Crab

Arenaeus cribrarius

Size: The field guide reports Up to 5 in. (12 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A broad, flattened brown to olive-brown shell is peppered with small white spots. The last legs are flattened into paddles. Nine spines line each anterolateral edge when the outer orbital spine is included; the rearmost lateral spine is longest.

Thinstripe Hermit Crab

Clibanarius vittatus

Size: Body about3.1 cm; overall extent with legs about7.5 cm in Smithsonian account.

Small brown-green hermit with fine pale stripes along its walking legs.

Tortuga box crab

Calappula tortugae

Size: A studied male measured 4.48 cm (1.76 in) across the rear shell projections; not a universal maximum.

Domed shell with prominent bumps and grooves, raised eye sockets and toothed rear-corner extensions.

Yellow box crab

Calappa sulcata

Size: Up to 14.5 cm (5.7 in) carapace width.

Broad oval shell, spined side margins and oversized flattened claws folded across the front; color is not reliably yellow.

Yellowline Arrow Crab

Stenorhynchus seticornis

Size: Body about 3–6 cm long; the slender legs extend much farther.

A pointed triangular body perched on extremely long, thin legs gives this crab a distinctive spiderlike silhouette.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; Blue Heron Bridge closed

Blue Crab

Callinectes sapidus

Broad swimming-crab shell with long lateral spines and paddle-shaped rear legs.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Pink Shrimp

Farfantepenaeus duorarum

Grooved carapace and a dark abdominal side spot help distinguish this bottom-associated shrimp.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Brown Shrimp

Farfantepenaeus aztecus

Grooved carapace and tail-base grooves distinguish this shrimp; it lacks the typical pink-shrimp side spot.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

White Shrimp

Litopenaeus setiferus

Smooth carapace and very long antennae; Atlantic range reaches St. Lucie Inlet, not the entire Keys corridor.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Brown Rock Shrimp

Sicyonia brevirostris

Rigid rough shell, short rostrum and large dark eyes distinguish this sandy-bottom offshore shrimp.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Atlantic Ghost Crab

Ocypode quadrata

Pale square-bodied beach crab with tall eyes, unequal claws and walking legs rather than swimming paddles.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Spotted Cleaner Shrimp

Periclimenes yucatanicus

Transparent shrimp with pale patches, banded legs and blue tail accents, often near anemones.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Jasper the Goliath Grouper

DO NOT HUNT or MOLEST

Named juvenile individual · Epinephelus itajara

Breakers reef system, West Palm Beach. The local seafood inspector. Friendly-seeming, but still wild: DON’T FEED OR PET.

Individual profile, not an additional species. Reported locally as a juvenile; exact size and individual markings are unverified.

Jayden the Goliath Grouper

DO NOT HUNT or MOLEST

Named juvenile individual · Epinephelus itajara

Breakers reef system, West Palm Beach. The local catch auditor. Friendly-seeming, but still wild: DON’T FEED OR PET.

Individual profile, not an additional species. Reported locally as a juvenile; exact size and individual markings are unverified.

African Pompano

Alectis ciliaris

Size: The source reports a maximum of 150 cm (4.9 feet). The body becomes more elongated with growth, while juvenile fin filaments should not be treated as adult proportions. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

A strongly flattened, silvery jack with a steep rounded forehead, tall front lobes of the dorsal and anal fins and a deeply forked tail. Juveniles carry exceptionally long fin filaments and chevron-like body bars.

Almaco Jack

Seriola rivoliana

Size: Reported to at least 63 inches (160 cm) total length.

Deep high-backed body and tall sickle-shaped second-dorsal lobe.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 76 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A compressed silvery fish with a metallic blue-green back, a dark spot behind the gill cover and sometimes further spots along the side. The belly has a line of sharp-edged scales.

Atlantic Bigeye

Priacanthus arenatus

Size: Reported maximum 45 cm (about 18 in).

Red, very large-eyed fish with an upturned mouth and a slightly concave tail; lacks the oval dark spots on the glasseye’s rear fins.

Atlantic Glasseye

Heteropriacanthus cruentatus

Size: Reported maximum 51 cm (about 20 in).

Pink/red large-eyed fish with dark oval specks on the soft dorsal, anal and tail fins; tail is slightly rounded.

Atlantic Leatherjack

Oligoplites saurus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 35 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Slender silvery fish with pointed snout, deeply forked tail and a bluish-green back; scales are needle-like.

Atlantic Spadefish

Chaetodipterus faber

Size: Published maximum about 91 cm to 1 m.

Deep silver body with dark bars and long soft dorsal and anal fins.

Harvest allowed under recreational limits

Balloonfish

Diodon holocanthus

Size: Often about 8–14 inches in field references; maximum roughly 20 inches.

Large dark body blotches, bars through the eyes, long folded spines and unspotted fins.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Ballyhoo

Hemiramphus brasiliensis

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 41 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Juvenile size and beak development are not documented in the accessed entry.

A slender surface fish with a greatly extended lower jaw and short upper jaw. The beak tip is red; the upper tail lobe is yellow-orange and the lower lobe larger.

Banded Butterflyfish

Chaetodon striatus

Size: Published maxima differ: 15–20 cm.

Banded Butterflyfish look like small silver disks crossed by bold black bars.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; spearing prohibited

Banded Jawfish

Opistognathus macrognathus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 20 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Large-headed tan jawfish with rows of dark body blotches, a prominent black dorsal spot and finely speckled pectoral fins.

Bandtail Puffer

Sphoeroides spengleri

Size: Regional Smithsonian size: 16 cm; broader compilations differ.

Round black spots in a lower-side row, small rear-body skin flaps and two dark bands across the tail.

Bandtail Searobin

Prionotus ophryas

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 20 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Coppery searobin with broad dark bars, cirri above eyes and nostrils, and three dark tail bands.

Banner Goby

Microgobius microlepis

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 5 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Small blue-grey goby with long dorsal spines and iridescent blue cheek stripes. Females can show a dark flank stripe.

Bar Jack

Caranx ruber

Size: Up to about 27 inches (69 cm) total length.

Blue-edged dark back stripe curves into the lower tail lobe.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Barbfish

Scorpaena brasiliensis

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 35 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Spiny-headed fish with branched eye cirri, a deep pit behind the eyes and small dark spots on the lower head.

Barred Blenny

Hypleurochilus bermudensis

Size: Maximum about 12 cm (4.7 inches).

A reddish-brown head, often carrying orange spots, meets a pale body crossed by about six dark bars.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Barred Cardinalfish

Apogon binotatus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 15 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Pale bronze with a yellowish belly and two narrow dark bars: one behind the second dorsal-fin base, another across the tail base.

Barred Hamlet

Hypoplectrus puella

Size: Maximum about 16.7 cm (6.6 inches) total length.

Deep-bodied pale hamlet with unequal brown bars, fine blue face lines and long pelvic fins.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Beaugregory

Stegastes leucostictus

Size: Maximum about 12 cm.

Blue-spotted compact damselfish; small dorsal eyespot stays on the fin.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Belted Cardinalfish

Apogon townsendi

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 8.5 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. No juvenile measurement series is supplied in the accessed account.

A pink-orange cardinalfish with one narrow dark body bar near the rear fins and two fine bars at the tail base. Its eyes are large and its tail forked.

Belted Sandfish

Serranus subligarius

Size: Maximum about 10 cm (3.9 inches) total length.

Brown little bass with a bright white belly bar immediately before a strong dark midbody belt.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Bicolor Damselfish

Stegastes partitus

Size: Maximum about 10 cm.

Compact dark-front, pale-rear damselfish; color patterns vary.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Bigeye Scad

Selar crumenophthalmus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 30 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Separate juvenile measurements were not established in the accessed account.

A streamlined silver fish with a blue-green back, very large eye and deeply forked tail. Unlike mackerel scad, it has no detached finlets behind the dorsal or anal fins.

Black Durgon

Melichthys niger

Size: The Smithsonian reports a maximum of 50 cm (19.7 inches). A dark silhouette without scale or fin detail is not enough to determine size or species. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

A dark blue-black triggerfish with narrow pale blue-white lines along the bases of the soft dorsal and anal fins. The head may look yellowish, and fine blue lines radiate from the eye.

Black Grouper

Mycteroperca bonaci

Size: Often around 28 inches; reported maximum about 59 inches.

Rectangular dark blotches, bronze spotting and dark borders on the rear fins.

Regulated recreational harvest; restrictions apply

Black Hamlet

Hypoplectrus nigricans

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 15.3 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Deep-bodied hamlet with black, dark brown or grey head and body; most fins match, sometimes with a blue cast.

Black Margate

Anisotremus surinamensis

Size: Up to about 30 inches (76 cm) total length.

Deep gray body, broad dark forward-body band, dark fins and fleshy lips.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Black Sea Bass

Centropristis striata

Size: Reported regional maximum 66 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Pale scale spots; three-lobed tail edge; dark body.

Blackbar Soldierfish

Myripristis jacobus

Size: Maximum about 25 cm (9.8 inches) total length.

Red, deep-bodied fish with huge eyes and a broad black band along the rear gill cover.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Blackear Wrasse

Halichoeres poeyi

Size: Maximum about 20 cm (7.9 inches) total length.

Green wrasse with a dark orange-edged spot directly behind the eye and fine pink head lines.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Blackfin Snapper

Lutjanus buccanella

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 75 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Juveniles are gray-brown with yellow tails. The source places juveniles mainly at 35–50 m and adults below 60 m.

Adults are orange-red with yellowish rear fins and a strong black patch at the pectoral base. The tail edge is only slightly indented.

Blackwing Searobin

Prionotus rubio

Size: Smithsonian gives 23 cm as the maximum. Its narrative does not explicitly specify total, standard or fork length.

A searobin with broad dark pectoral fins and three separate lower pectoral rays. Identification should be checked against the full head, fin and scale diagnosis, not wing color alone.

Blue Angelfish

Holacanthus bermudensis

Size: Reported maximum 45 cm.

Blue-green adult with trailing dorsal and anal fins; lacks the queen’s distinct forehead crown.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Blue Chromis

Azurina cyanea

Size: Maximum about 15 cm.

Electric-blue elongated fish with black-edged, deeply forked tail.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Blue Dartfish (Blue Goby)

Ptereleotris calliura

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 12.5 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Slender blue-grey to lavender fish with a long pointed tail and black edging on the dorsal fins.

Blue Hamlet

Hypoplectrus gemma

Size: The regional reference gives 13 cm (5.1 inches) as the maximum. Treat this as a published size record, not a typical length for every local sighting. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

Look for a bright-blue head and body with a mostly clear tail bordered in black above and below. The body is deep and flattened from side to side, with a continuous dorsal fin.

Blue Parrotfish

Scarus coeruleus

Size: Reported maximum 120 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Adults are broadly blue to green-blue with a gray cheek area; young fish have yellow across the upper head and front of the back.

Blue Runner

Caranx crysos

Size: Reported regional maximum 76 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Dark gill-cover spot; dark tail tips; forked tail.

Blue Tang

Acanthurus coeruleus

Size: Around 30 cm; reported maximum 36–37 cm.

Deep-blue adult with yellow tail-base spine; juveniles may be yellow.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Bluehead Wrasse

Thalassoma bifasciatum

Size: Size summaries differ:15 cm Smithsonian;25 cm museum maximum.

Terminal male has a blue head and two dark bars separated by white; younger phases differ.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Bluelip Parrotfish

Cryptotomus roseus

Size: Common length around 10 cm; reported maximum 13 cm.

Slender cigar-shaped body and pointed snout; muted striped initial phase contrasts with the green-and-pink terminal phase.

Bluespotted Cornetfish

Fistularia tabacaria

Size: Reported maximum about 200 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

An extremely long tube snout, blue spot rows and a thread extending from the center of the tail identify this cornetfish.

Bluestriped Grunt

Haemulon sciurus

Size: Up to about 18 inches (46 cm) total length.

Blue horizontal stripes on yellow; dark soft dorsal and forked tail.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Bluethroat Pikeblenny

Chaenopsis ocellata

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 12.3 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Very slender, pointed-snouted fish; males show blue ridges on dark throat membranes. The head lacks cirri.

Boga

Haemulon vittatum

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 22.5 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. The accessed entry does not supply separate juvenile measurements.

A streamlined blue-green fish with a broad greenish middle stripe and finer upper stripes. The small mouth protrudes; the deeply forked tail has dark lobes with pale outer borders.

Brassy Chub

Kyphosus vaigiensis

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 48 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Oval blue-grey chub with numerous brassy longitudinal stripes and a gold line beneath the eye. The forehead lacks a conspicuous bump.

Bridled Goby

Coryphopterus glaucofraenum

Size: Maximum about 8 cm (3.1 inches).

A dark double-peaked triangular mark above the gill cover is a useful first clue.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Brown Chromis

Azurina multilineata

Size: Commonly about 12 cm; maximum 20 cm.

Gray-brown schooling fish; white spot behind dorsal and dark pectoral base.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Brown Garden Eel

Heteroconger longissimus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 51 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Long, slender eel with brown upper body, many small pale flecks and pale throat; coloration grades yellow toward the rear.

Bucktooth Parrotfish

Sparisoma radians

Size: Reported maximum 20 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Small, usually green-brown parrotfish; lower jaw projects beyond upper at the front and the tail is rounded. Terminal males have dark fin edges and an opalescent spot behind the eye.

Butter Hamlet

Hypoplectrus unicolor

Size: Maximum about 13 cm (5.1 inches) total length.

Pale yellow hamlet with bright yellow pelvic fins and a large black saddle on the upper tail base.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Caesar Grunt

Haemulon carbonarium

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 40 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Silvery-grey grunt with thin coppery body stripes, steel-blue head and dark fins; the belly may be very dusky.

Cero Mackerel

Scomberomorus regalis

Size: FWC lists up to 36 in (91 cm); published maximum-size estimates differ. See size notes.

Streamlined silver mackerel with yellow-gold spots and a yellowish stripe along the side; the stripe helps separate it from Spanish mackerel.

Chalk Bass

Serranus tortugarum

Size: Maximum about 8 cm (3.1 inches) total length.

Small pinkish to blue-grey bass with thin upper-body bars and a blunt-edged tail.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Channel Flounder

Syacium micrurum

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 30 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Sex affects eye spacing; large males also have elongated upper pectoral rays. No growth timetable is provided.

A flattened oval fish with both eyes on its left side. The lower eye sits farther forward; females may show two diffuse dark patches along the lateral line.

Cherubfish

Centropyge argi

Size: The regional account gives about 5 cm (2 inches) as the maximum. Its small size is normal for this angelfish, not proof that it is a juvenile of a larger species. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

A tiny, deep-blue angelfish with a yellow-orange lower face and chest and a blue ring around the eye. The body is oval and flattened, with a short blunt snout.

Clown Wrasse

Halichoeres maculipinna

Size: Maximum about 15 cm (5.9 inches) total length.

Adult yellow side stripe, red facial lines, black dorsal spot and a conspicuous dark belly blotch.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Cobia

Rachycentron canadum

Size: Smithsonian gives a maximum of 200 cm (6.6 feet). Adults have a concave tail; juveniles have a rounder tail. Do not read the published maximum as an expected dive encounter. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

An elongate, almost cylindrical fish with a broad flattened head, projecting lower jaw and dark body with pale lengthwise stripes. Several short, separate dorsal spines precede the long soft dorsal fin.

Cocoa Damselfish

Stegastes xanthurus

Size: Smithsonian reports maximum 12 cm.

Brown adult with diagonal scale lines; dark dorsal patch extends onto back.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Colon Goby

Coryphopterus dicrus

Size: Maximum about 5 cm (2.0 inches).

Two dark dots at the pectoral-fin base resemble a punctuation colon.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Common Snook

Centropomus undecimalis

Size: Adults can exceed 3 feet; maximum reports exceed 4 feet.

Bold black lateral stripe, large mouth with projecting lower jaw and two separate dorsal fins.

Seasonal harvest; hook-and-line only

Coney

Cephalopholis fulva

Size: Reported maximum 39 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Small grouper with blue speckles and paired dark spots at the top of the tail base; additional dark marks occur at the lower-jaw tip.

Cottonwick

Haemulon melanurum

Size: Up to about 14 inches (35 cm) total length.

Broad dark upper-back stripe flows into a black V in the tail.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Creole Wrasse

Clepticus parrae

Size: Maximum about 30 cm (11.8 inches) total length.

Purple schooling wrasse with a small dark snout and deeply concave tail.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Creolefish (Atlantic)

Paranthias furcifer

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 40 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A streamlined reddish to purplish reef fish with a deeply concave tail. Young fish may be bright yellow, with dark spots along the upper back.

Crevalle Jack

Caranx hippos

Size: Often about 2–2.5 feet; reported maximum roughly 4 feet.

Steep forehead, dark gill-cover and pectoral marks, strong forked yellowish tail.

Harvest allowed under default recreational rules

Cubbyu

Pareques umbrosus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 20 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Deep, arched-backed drum; adults have dark grey fins and body crossed by many narrow black stripes.

Cubera Snapper

Lutjanus cyanopterus

Size: Large adults may be around 90 cm (3 ft); maximum withheld pending source reconciliation.

Large gray to brown snapper with robust, conspicuous canine teeth and a substantial head.

Dash Goby

Ctenogobius saepepallens

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 5 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Translucent goby with a dark bar below the eye, blue-edged cheek-region blotch and five black dashes or spots along the flank.

Doctorfish

Acanthurus chirurgus

Size: About 34–35 cm maximum.

Doctorfish have a deep, flattened gray-brown body marked by roughly eight to twelve narrow dark vertical bars.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; spearing prohibited

Dog Snapper

Lutjanus jocu

Size: Reported maximum: 128 cm (about 50 in), following Smithsonian; published sources differ.

A pale triangular cheek mark below the eye and strong canine teeth; olive above, paler or coppery below.

Downy Blenny

Gobioclinus kalisherae

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 8.3 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Stocky mottled blenny with branched head cirri, six or seven body bars and three pale ringed spots at the tail base.

Dusky Damselfish

Stegastes adustus

Size: Regional account to 10.5 cm; other compilations list larger maxima.

Brown adults with short rear fins; juveniles have an orange-red upper wash, blue markings and dark dorsal and tail-base spots.

Dusky Jawfish

Opistognathus whitehursti

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 7.8 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A mottled brown jawfish with a large head, white bars on the upper lip and a dark bar between the eyes.

Dusky Squirrelfish

Neoniphon vexillarius

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 17.2 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. The source does not establish separate juvenile size limits.

A reddish-brown squirrelfish with broad silver stripes edged dark. Red spots follow the tips of the pink spiny dorsal; the inside of the pectoral base is dark.

Dwarf Sand Perch

Diplectrum bivittatum

Size: Maximum about 25 cm (9.8 inches) total length.

Slender bass with two dark side stripes, irregular paired bars and a single cheek-spine cluster.

Harvest conditionally allowed; default state limits and protected areas apply

Eyed Flounder

Bothus ocellatus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 16 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A broad oval flatfish with brown rosettes, three darker clusters along the lateral line and paired dark marks at the tail-fin base.

Fairy Basslet

Gramma loreto

Size: The regional reference reports 8 cm (3.1 inches). Tiny individuals need the same color and fin checks; apparent size changes with distance and camera angle. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

The front half is purple and the rear half yellow. A black spot marks the front of the dorsal fin, and fine yellow lines extend from the eye. Obtain a full side view of the color boundary.

Flagfin Mojarra

Eucinostomus melanopterus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 19.3 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Mostly unmarked silver body; the spiny dorsal has a black outer patch, white band beneath it and dusky base.

Flamefish

Apogon maculatus

Size: Reported regional maximum 11.1 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Orange-red body; dark spot beneath second dorsal; dark eye stripe.

Flat Needlefish

Ablennes hians

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 120 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A very flattened needlefish with long toothed jaws and about a dozen dark bars or elongated marks along its silvery sides. The body is blue above and pale below.

Florida Pompano

Trachinotus carolinus

Size: Reported maximum about 64 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Plain silver, blunt-headed pompano with a short pectoral fin and moderately raised dorsal and anal lobes.

Flying Gurnard

Dactylopterus volitans

Size: Often 6–14 inches; larger records depend on length convention and reference.

Large armored head and enormous pectoral fans with blue markings when spread.

General Florida harvest rules; local restrictions apply

Foureye Butterflyfish

Chaetodon capistratus

Size: Up to 15 cm; often under 10 cm.

The Foureye Butterflyfish wears a striking white-ringed black spot on each rear flank, creating the impression of an extra pair of eyes.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; spearing prohibited

Freckled Soapfish

Rypticus bistrispinus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 15 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. The accessed account does not provide separate juvenile measurements.

A narrow, strongly flattened fish covered in dense small brown spots. A darker stripe crosses the eye and broadens along the back; the tail and fleshy fins are rounded.

French Angelfish

Pomacanthus paru

Size: Common length 28 cm; FishBase maximum 41.1 cm.

Dark adult with yellow-edged scales, pale mouth and yellow pectoral-fin base.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

French Grunt

Haemulon flavolineatum

Size: Commonly 17 cm; reported maximum 30 cm.

Yellow stripes, with lower-body stripes diagonal; yellow fins.

General Florida harvest rules; local restrictions apply

Frillfin Goby

Bathygobius soporator

Size: Maximum about 15 cm (5.9 inches).

A broad, flattened head and robust body distinguish it from many slender reef gobies.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Fringed Filefish

Monacanthus ciliatus

Size: Smithsonian reports to about 5 inches (12.7 cm); other references report larger maxima.

Mottled deep body, pale flank patch, dorsal spine and large belly flap.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Gag

Mycteroperca microlepis

Size: Reported maximum 145 cm (about 4.8 ft).

Brown-gray body with wormlike darker markings; dark fins have pale edges on the tail and anal fin.

Glass Goby

Coryphopterus hyalinus

Size: Maximum about 4 cm (1.6 inches).

A transparent body and dark face mask resemble those of the masked goby.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Glassy Sweeper

Pempheris schomburgkii

Size: Maximum about 15 cm (5.9 inches) total length.

Coppery, deep-bodied fish with a huge eye, tiny dorsal and very long anal-fin base.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Goldentail Moray

Gymnothorax miliaris

Size: Maximum about 28 inches (70 cm) total length.

Typical form has dense yellow spots on brown skin and a pale golden tail tip; no pectoral fins.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Goldspot Goby

Gnatholepis thompsoni

Size: Maximum about 8.2 cm (3.2 inches).

The small golden spot above the pectoral base is the signature mark.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Goliath Grouper

Epinephelus itajara

Size: Reported maximum about 2.5 m; juveniles are much smaller.

Huge broad head and small eyes; Rounded tail; Low dorsal spines.

Protected; limited permit-only harvest exception

Grass Porgy

Calamus arctifrons

Size: Reported maximum about 25 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

A small olive porgy with a large dark shoulder blotch, barred tail and a relatively short pectoral fin.

Gray Angelfish

Pomacanthus arcuatus

Size: Commonly 43–48 cm; reported maximum 60 cm.

Gray-brown adult, pale mouth and pale-edged tail; dark-centered scales.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Gray Snapper

Lutjanus griseus

Size: Often below 45 cm; Smithsonian maximum about 66 cm.

Gray to greenish body with reddish flecks; juveniles have a dark eye stripe; no flank spot.

Regulated recreational harvest; restrictions apply

Gray Triggerfish

Balistes capriscus

Size: Maximum about 30 inches (76 cm) total length.

Gray-olive compressed body, high eye, locking dorsal spine and pointed tail lobes.

Regulated food fish: Gulf seasonal closures; Atlantic rules differ

Graysby

Cephalopholis cruentata

Size: Reported maximum 33 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Orange-brown spotting on a gray, brown or olive grouper, plus four contrasting spots along the upper back that can appear black or white.

Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

Size: Over 150 cm is very large; reported maximum about 200 cm.

Long silver body, projecting lower jaw, separated dorsal fins and dark lower-side blotches.

Regulated harvest; ciguatera caution

Greater Amberjack

Seriola dumerili

Size: Up to about 75 inches (190 cm) total length.

Long muscular body, angled dark eye band and low second-dorsal lobe.

Seasonal fishery: Gulf closed now; Atlantic closed each April

Greater Soapfish

Rypticus saponaceus

Size: Maximum about 35 cm (13.8 inches) total length.

Brown-grey soapfish with numerous small pale blotches, a projecting lower jaw and rounded fleshy fins.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Green Moray

Gymnothorax funebris

Size: Large adults around 1.5–1.8 m; reported maximum about 2.5 m.

Uniform olive-green body; Tube-like nostrils; Long continuous fin edge.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Green Razorfish

Xyrichtys splendens

Size: Regional reported maximum 15 cm; smaller fish are common in guide examples.

Thin, flattened body and blunt snout. Males are green with blue-rimmed dark flank spots; females and juveniles can look quite different.

Greenblotch Parrotfish

Sparisoma atomarium

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 15 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Small parrotfish with strongly different color phases. Initial fish are reddish above and pale below; terminal fish have a dark blue-green lower body.

Guaguanche

Sphyraena guachancho

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 50 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Juvenile bars disappear from the adult pattern, so age must be considered during identification.

A slender barracuda with a projecting lower jaw and a gold-yellow side stripe. Adults lack dark body bars; small juveniles have three broad encircling dark bars.

Gulf Flounder

Paralichthys albigutta

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 71 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A left-eyed flounder with three conspicuous dark ringed spots arranged as a triangle. The brown eyed side is mottled; both eyes lie on the same side.

Hardhead Sea Catfish

Ariopsis felis

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 70 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A scaleless catfish with barbels around the mouth, a forked tail and a dark upper body fading to a pale belly. Distinguish the full fin and head shape rather than relying on the barbels alone.

Harlequin Bass

Serranus tigrinus

Size: Maximum about 12.3 cm (4.8 inches) total length.

White above and yellow below with bold black bars, black throat blotches and a spotted tail.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Hogfish

Lachnolaimus maximus

Size: Maximum around 3 feet (91 cm) total length.

Piglike snout, deep oval body and three long trailing front dorsal spines.

Regulated food fish: Atlantic/Keys seasonal closure; Gulf limits differ

Honeycomb Cowfish

Acanthostracion polygonium

Size: Often about 10 inches; museum maximum about 20 inches (50 cm) total length.

Short eye horns and dark honeycomb rings on a rigid triangular body.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Horse-eye Jack

Caranx latus

Size: Reported maximum about 101 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Large-eyed silver jack with a yellow forked tail, dark dorsal lobe and dark rear lateral-line scutes.

Houndfish

Tylosurus crocodilus

Size: Reported maximum about 125 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

A robust surface needlefish with a stout toothed beak, high rear fin lobes and a black keel on the tail base.

Indigo Hamlet

Hypoplectrus indigo

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 16.1 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A pale blue to whitish hamlet crossed by dark blue-black bars, including bars beneath the eye and at the gill cover. Most fins are blue-gray; the pectorals are clear.

Jackknife Fish

Eques lanceolatus

Size: Reported maximum 30 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Tall first dorsal and black oblique bars, with the rear stripe continuing through the tail; lacks the adult spotted drum’s spotted rear fins.

Jolthead Porgy

Calamus bajonado

Size: Reported maximum about 68 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Brassy silver porgy with a long sloping snout, blue line below the eye and orange mouth corner.

Kuna Goby

Coryphopterus kuna

Size: Maximum about 2.5 cm (1.0 inches).

Look for a very small translucent goby with orange blotches and fine black spots.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Lancer Dragonet

Callionymus bairdi

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 11.4 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Pale mottled dragonet with barred cheeks, large paired fins and a tall flag-like first dorsal.

Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Size: Often around 10–14 inches; exceptional fish can approach 24 inches.

Yellow horizontal stripes over pink-silver sides and a dark spot below the soft dorsal fin.

Regulated recreational harvest; restrictions apply

Lantern Bass

Serranus baldwini

Size: Small seabass; regional account 7.4 cm maximum, broader account 12 cm.

Mottled dark front upper body, pale rear body, orange-brown lower bars and two vertical rows of dark tail spots.

Leopard Searobin

Prionotus scitulus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 25 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Brown above with reddish spots, pale below; pale spotted pectorals and two separate dark marks on the first dorsal.

Lined Seahorse

Hippocampus erectus

Size: Reported maximum 19 cm; curved posture complicates estimates.

Robust chest, bony body rings and often pale lines along the neck.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Lionfish

Pterois volitans / Pterois miles

Size: Often 12–15 inches; some exceed 18 inches.

Contrasting bands, spreading pectoral fins and prominent dorsal spines.

Invasive; recreational removal encouraged

Littlehead Porgy

Calamus proridens

Size: Reported maximum about 46 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

A steep-headed silver porgy with blue scale spots, blue-yellow cheek lines and a long pointed pectoral fin.

Longfin Damselfish

Stegastes diencaeus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 12.5 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Deep oval adult, grey to black, with elongated rounded dorsal and anal fins and a thin blue anal margin.

Longsnout Butterflyfish

Prognathodes aculeatus

Size: Reported maximum about 9.5 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Tiny disc-shaped butterflyfish with a pointed snout, tall triangular dorsal and dark upper-back patch.

Longsnout Seahorse

Hippocampus reidi

Size: Maximum reference height 17.5 cm; curled posture looks smaller.

Slender body, long snout and rounded, convoluted coronet.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Longspine Squirrelfish

Holocentrus rufus

Size: Maximum about 44 cm (17.3 inches) total length.

Red squirrelfish with white triangular patches behind dorsal spine tips and a pale yellow-white tail.

No spearing; no take in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Lookdown

Selene vomer

Size: Commonly around 14 inches; reported maximum about 19 inches.

Extremely thin silver body, steep sloping forehead and long sickle-shaped rear fins.

Harvest allowed under default recreational rules

Mahogany Snapper

Lutjanus mahogoni

Size: Reported maximum 48 cm (about 19 in).

Olive-gray upper body, reddish fins and a pronounced dark spot below the front of the soft dorsal fin.

Margate

Haemulon album

Size: Up to about 31 inches (79 cm) total length.

Large pearly-gray grunt with pale iris, blunt head and dusky rear fins.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Masked Goby

Coryphopterus personatus

Size: Maximum about 4 cm (1.6 inches).

The body is translucent and the snout and eye region form a dark mask.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Midnight Parrotfish

Scarus coelestinus

Size: Both major species accounts give a maximum length of 77 cm, with FishBase listing about 50 cm as a common length.

Midnight Parrotfish are dark, but not plain: bright blue centers punctuate the black body scales, and blue covers unscaled areas of the head.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Molly Miller

Scartella cristata

Size: Maximum about 10 cm (3.9 inches).

The best clue is the pair of rows of short cirri along the nape, often banded red and white.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Mottled Jawfish

Opistognathus maxillosus

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 15.3 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A brown-and-white jawfish with a checkerboard-like flank pattern. Dark body bars meet blotches along the dorsal-fin base, with the strongest dorsal blotch farther back than the front of the fin.

Mottled Mojarra

Ulaema lefroyi

Size: Regional reported maximum 23 cm; older guides list smaller limits.

Slender silver body, wavy slanting bars and dark rear-side blotches; deeply forked tail and a mouth that projects downward.

Mutton Snapper

Lutjanus analis

Size: Commonly about 20 inches; large fish can exceed 3 feet.

Olive back, pink-red lower body, blue cheek lines and a black upper-side spot.

Regulated recreational harvest; restrictions apply

Nassau Grouper

Epinephelus striatus

Size: Maturity commonly near 51 cm (20 in); not a maximum-size claim.

Five dark body bars, a black saddle on the tail base, and a dark tuning-fork-shaped marking across the forehead.

Neon Goby

Elacatinus oceanops

Size: Maximum about 5 cm (2.0 inches).

A brilliant blue stripe runs from just before the eye to near the end of the tail fin, against a blue-black body.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Ocean Surgeonfish

Acanthurus tractus

Size: 35 cm maximum in Smithsonian account.

An adult Ocean Surgeonfish is a flattened, elongated oval with a steep forehead and a little mouth set low on the face.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; spearing prohibited

Ocean Triggerfish

Canthidermis sufflamen

Size: Up to about 26 inches (65 cm) total length.

Gray deep body, dark pectoral-base blotch and tall curved soft fins.

Harvest restricted by site: no take or possession in Pennekamp

Orange Filefish

Aluterus schoepfii

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 60 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. No juvenile measurement series was established in the account.

A very flattened filefish with a long snout, concave forehead and small upturned mouth. Numerous orange specks cover a gray body; the first dorsal spine is slender.

Orangeback Bass

Serranus annularis

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 9 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. No separate juvenile size series was established.

A small bass with a reddish-brown upper third and mostly white lower body. Two dark-bordered orange rectangles sit behind the eye; pale orange marks break up the lower flank.

Orangespotted Filefish

Cantherhines pullus

Size: Maximum about 8 inches (20 cm) total length.

Brown with orange spots and a distinct white blotch atop the tail base.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Orangespotted Goby

Nes longus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 10 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A slim, sand-colored goby with protruding eyes, orange-brown spotting and three or four paired blotches along its side.

Palometa

Trachinotus goodei

Size: Up to about 20 inches (50.6 cm) total length.

Silver triangular body, narrow dark bars and very long dark fin lobes.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Peacock Flounder

Bothus lunatus

Size: Reported regional maximum 45 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Blue rings; both eyes on left side; deep flat body.

Pearly Razorfish

Xyrichtys novacula

Size: Reported regional maximum 25 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Steep forehead; pearly belly marks; blue bars in male.

Peppermint Basslet

Liopropoma rubre

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 6 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

Five reddish-brown lengthwise stripes cross a yellow-brown body. Two touching, pale-edged black marks occupy the tail lobes; black spots also mark the soft dorsal and anal fins.

Permit

Trachinotus falcatus

Size: Large adults can exceed 3 feet; exceptional records approach 4 feet.

Deep silver body, long dark sickle-shaped dorsal and anal lobes, and a deeply forked tail.

Regulated harvest; seasonal southern zone

Pigfish

Orthopristis chrysoptera

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 46 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. The account gives no separate juvenile growth series; color markings are variable.

A silver-gray grunt with bronze-orange scale-edge spots forming slanted lines. Bronze dots mark the head and dorsal fin; some fish also show faint bars or stripes.

Pinfish

Lagodon rhomboides

Size: Reported regional maximum 40 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Shoulder spot; thin blue stripes; yellow fins.

Planehead Filefish

Stephanolepis hispida

Size: Up to about 11 inches (27.5 cm) total length.

Straight sloping forehead, brown mottling, dorsal spine and small belly flap.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Polka-dot Batfish

Ogcocephalus cubifrons

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 38 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Triangular-bodied bottom fish with limb-like paired fins, a raised head and patterned pectoral fins. Adult coloration mixes brown, copper and orange.

Porcupinefish

Diodon hystrix

Size: Maximum about 36 inches (91 cm) total length.

Small black spots on body and fins; folding spines, broad head, no large dark body blotches.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Porkfish

Anisotremus virginicus

Size: Reported maximum about 38–40 cm.

Yellow fins and stripes with two conspicuous black bars at the front.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Princess Parrotfish

Scarus taeniopterus

Size: Smithsonian reports 30 cm as a maximum; FishBase lists 35 cm total length and a common length around 22 cm.

Terminal-phase Princess Parrotfish are blue with pink accents and a short yellow dash above the pectoral fin.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Puddingwife

Halichoeres radiatus

Size: Maximum about 20 inches (51 cm) total length.

Blue scale spots, radiating cheek lines and pale saddles along the back in adults.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Purple Reeffish

Chromis scotti

Size: Maximum about 10 cm.

Gray-brown adult with blue markings, pale underside and forked tail.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Purplemouth Moray

Gymnothorax vicinus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 122 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A variably colored, densely spotted moray with a purple mouth interior, gold iris and dark fin edges narrowly bordered in white.

Pygmy Filefish

Stephanolepis setifer

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 18 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Deep, flattened body; short concave snout; mottled tan-brown sides with broken dark lines and two faint tail bars.

Pygmy Sea Bass

Serraniculus pumilio

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 8.6 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. No separate juvenile growth series was verified.

A tiny mottled bass with two broad irregular body bars, a pale belly band and an abruptly white tail base. Dark spots line the flank and parts of the tail.

Queen angelfish

Holacanthus ciliaris

Size: Usually 8–14 inches; maximum about 18 inches.

Blue-ringed forehead crown, an all-yellow tail and a tall oval body.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Queen Parrotfish

Scarus vetula

Size: Published maxima differ: Smithsonian 50 cm; FishBase 61 cm total length.

The terminal-phase Queen Parrotfish combines blue-green coloring with pink accents and a broad diagonal blue band rising from the nape toward the middle of the back.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Queen Triggerfish

Balistes vetula

Size: Commonly about 12 inches; maximum around 24 inches.

Two curved blue facial bands, orange-yellow lower face and a crescent tail with trailing tips.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Rainbow Parrotfish

Scarus guacamaia

Size: Smithsonian and FishBase give a maximum length of 120 cm, making this one of the largest parrotfishes in the western Atlantic.

A large Rainbow Parrotfish is a two-tone heavyweight: bronze across the head and front of the body, green toward the rear, with orange and green in the fins.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Rainbow Runner

Elagatis bipinnulata

Size: Reported maximum about 180 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Slender torpedo-shaped jack with two blue side stripes enclosing yellow and one finlet behind each rear fin.

Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

Size: Large adults can approach 4 feet; smaller individuals are common.

Robust reddish-brown body, pale blotches, small dark cheek spots and a nearly squared tail.

Regulated recreational harvest; restrictions apply

Red Hind

Epinephelus guttatus

Size: Reported maximum 76 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Red-brown spots; soft dorsal, anal and tail have broad dark bands near their edges and narrow pale outer edging.

Redband Parrotfish

Sparisoma aurofrenatum

Size: Both Smithsonian and FishBase report a maximum length of 28 cm; FishBase gives about 20 cm as a common length.

A terminal-phase Redband Parrotfish has a reddish line running from the mouth beneath the eye, a red iris and a yellow shoulder blotch topped by small black spots.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Redear Sardine (Redear Herring)

Harengula humeralis

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 26.5 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Silvery sardine with blue-green back, orange shoulder spot, narrow orange side lines and dark front dorsal tips.

Redfin Needlefish

Strongylura notata

Size: Reported maximum about 45 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

A small slender needlefish with a dark rear-cheek bar, pink-orange rear fins and no tail-base keel.

Redlip Blenny

Ophioblennius macclurei

Size: Maximum about 12.5 cm (4.9 inches).

A dark brown body carries a conspicuous red lower lip, red on the lower pectoral fin, and red borders on the dorsal and anal fins.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Redspotted Hawkfish

Amblycirrhitus pinos

Size: Reported maximum 9.5 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Small perching fish with red head spots, dark body bars, a black tail-base band and tufted dorsal-spine tips.

Redtail Parrotfish

Sparisoma chrysopterum

Size: Reported maximum about 46 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Terminal-phase fish combine a black upper pectoral-base spot, blue flank patch and red-edged crescent tail.

Reef Butterflyfish

Chaetodon sedentarius

Size: Reported maximum about 18 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Yellow-white disc with a black eye band and a broad black wedge across the rear dorsal and anal fins.

Reef Croaker

Odontoscion dentex

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 30 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. The account does not supply juvenile measurements or a growth schedule.

A stocky gray fish with large eyes, dark scale dots and a conspicuous black pectoral-base patch. The chin lacks a barbel; the lower jaw projects slightly.

Rock Beauty

Holacanthus tricolor

Size: Size accounts differ: about 25 cm; reported maximum 35 cm.

Yellow head and tail surrounding a large black body patch.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Rock Hind

Epinephelus adscensionis

Size: Reported maximum 62 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Red-brown spotting with dark saddles along the upper back and a dark blotch on the upper tail base.

Rosy Blenny

Malacoctenus macropus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 5.2 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Small, narrow-headed blenny with a pointed snout and long simple eye cirri. Males can be pink below; females are finely spotted.

Rosy Razorfish

Xyrichtys martinicensis

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 15 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A compressed wrasse with a rounded forehead. Initial-phase fish have a dark cheek patch; terminal-phase fish are blue-green with gold-and-blue cheeks.

Round Scad

Decapterus punctatus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 36 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A slender cylindrical jack with a forked tail, greenish back, silver belly and small dark gill-cover mark.

Rusty Goby

Priolepis hipoliti

Size: Maximum about 4 cm (1.6 inches).

The body is compact and rusty orange to olive, with about seven narrow pale bars.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Saddled Blenny

Malacoctenus triangulatus

Size: Maximum about 5.8 cm (2.3 inches).

The characteristic pattern is a series of dark, downward-pointing triangular saddles on a pale body.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Sailfin Blenny

Emblemaria pandionis

Size: Maximum about 7 cm (2.8 inches).

A male with his fin raised looks like a miniature sailboat.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Sailors Choice

Haemulon parra

Size: Reported maximum 41.2 cm.

Adults have dotted, often slanting dark lines along silver scale rows; juveniles have lengthwise dark stripes and a tail-base spot.

Sand Diver

Synodus intermedius

Size: Reported regional maximum 44 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Small rectangular shoulder mark; hourglass bars; barred tail.

Sand Perch

Diplectrum formosum

Size: Maximum about 30 cm (11.8 inches) total length.

Elongate sand-bottom bass with fine blue head/body lines and two clusters of cheek-corner spines.

Harvest conditionally allowed; default state limits and protected areas apply

Sand Tilefish

Malacanthus plumieri

Size: The regional reference reports 60 cm (23.6 inches). This maximum is not a typical local encounter size. Record an estimated length separately from an identification. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

A very slender, pale blue-green fish with long dorsal and anal fins. The tail has yellow-orange upper and lower edges and a dark area in its upper front portion; juveniles may show an orange rear-flank stripe.

Sargassumfish

Histrio histrio

Size: Reported maximum about 20 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

A mottled, weed-fringed frogfish with an upturned mouth and limb-like fins hides in floating Sargassum.

Saucereye Porgy

Calamus calamus

Size: Maximum about 22 inches (56 cm) total length.

Large eye with blue crescent underneath, steep forehead and long pectoral fin.

Harvest allowed; Florida state and Atlantic federal limits differ

Scaled Sardine

Harengula jaguana

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 27.5 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A moderately deep silver herring with a dark back, clear fins and a dark spot behind the upper gill-cover corner.

Scamp

Mycteroperca phenax

Size: Reported maximum 107 cm (about 42 in).

Brown or gray grouper with reddish-brown spots or rosettes and extended upper/lower tail rays in adults.

Schoolmaster

Lutjanus apodus

Size: Often around 14 inches; larger individuals can exceed 2 feet.

Yellow fins, olive-brown body and pale vertical bars that can fade in large adults.

Regulated recreational harvest; restrictions apply

Scrawled Cowfish

Acanthostracion quadricornis

Size: Often about 8 inches; maximum about 22 inches (55 cm) total length.

Eye horns, rear corner spines, blue cheek stripes and irregular blue body scribbles.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Scrawled Filefish

Aluterus scriptus

Size: Often about 22 inches; maximum about 43 inches (110 cm) total length.

Long flattened body, blue scribbles, narrow dorsal spine and very long rounded tail.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Sea Bream

Archosargus rhomboidalis

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 33 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. The accessed account gives no separate juvenile measurement series.

An oval silver fish with a humped back, golden side stripes and a strong dark shoulder patch above the pectoral fin. The head is small and pointed.

Seaweed Blenny

Parablennius marmoreus

Size: Maximum about 10.8 cm (4.3 inches).

Look for a blenny with a long, branched cirrus above each eye, delicate blue lines descending from the eye, and an eyespot near the front of the long dorsal fin.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Seminole Goby

Microgobius carri

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 7.5 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Both sexes carry extended dorsal spines; males have a slightly larger upper jaw.

A slender pale goby with an orange-yellow middle stripe bordered blue, additional fine upper stripes and long dorsal filaments. Blue markings also decorate the cheek and eye area.

Sergeant Major

Abudefduf saxatilis

Size: Reported maximum 23 cm.

Five strong dark vertical bars; pale body with yellow upper back.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Sharksucker

Echeneis naucrates

Size: Can reach about 43 inches.

Long slim remora with a striped body and oval suction disc on top of its head.

General Florida harvest rules; local restrictions apply

Sharpnose Puffer

Canthigaster rostrata

Size: Typically illustrated at 5–10 cm; reported maximum 12 cm.

Pointed snout, blue spots and facial lines, and a yellow tail with broad black upper and lower borders.

Sharptail Eel

Myrichthys breviceps

Size: Maximum about 40 inches (102 cm) total length.

Large pale round body spots, smaller yellow head spots, small pectoral fins and hard finless tail tip.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus

Size: Often 14–18 inches; published maximum about 30 inches (76 cm) total length.

Five or six dark vertical bars on a deep silver body; blunt head without chin barbels.

Regulated food fish: year-round with size, bag and spring vessel limits

Sheepshead Porgy

Calamus penna

Size: Reported maximum about 46 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Silver porgy with a dark bar below the eye and a tiny black spot at the upper pectoral base.

Shortfin Pipefish

Cosmocampus elucens

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 17 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Slender, ringed pipefish with a long narrow snout, widely spaced pale body bars and two dark lines behind the eye.

Shortnose Batfish

Ogcocephalus nasutus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 38 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Flattened triangular body, variable snout horn, plain pectorals and a dark tail crossed by a broad pale band.

Shy Hamlet

Hypoplectrus guttavarius

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 15 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A dark brown hamlet with yellow head and fins. A conspicuous black mark edged in blue sits on the side of the snout, with blue spots around the eye and cheek.

Silver Jenny

Eucinostomus gula

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 22.7 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Silvery and deep-bodied, with bluish reflections, dark side spots and oblique upper-body bars. The spiny dorsal is only lightly dusky.

Silver Porgy

Diplodus caudimacula

Size: Reported maximum 30 cm.

Deep silver body and a dark tail-base blotch concentrated above the lateral line; smaller fish can show faint bars.

Slender Filefish

Monacanthus tuckeri

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 9 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Large males develop bristles around curved spiny scales at the tail base.

A narrow, flattened filefish with an upturned snout and variable brown to reddish coloration. It may show a dark stripe behind the eye and fine pale network markings.

Slippery Dick

Halichoeres bivittatus

Size: Maximum about 14 inches (35 cm) total length.

Initial phase has two dark lengthwise stripes; terminal fish become green and pink.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Smallmouth Grunt

Brachygenys chrysargyrea

Size: Up to about 9 inches (23 cm) total length.

Five or six straight yellow stripes, slender silver body and yellow tail.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Smooth Trunkfish

Lactophrys triqueter

Size: Smithsonian guide reports up to about 12 inches (30 cm) total length.

Dark armored body with pale spots and blackish lips; no horns or rear corner spines.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Southern Puffer

Sphoeroides nephelus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 26 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Breeding males may develop tiny orange or red spots; this is not a universal adult color.

A blunt puffer with dark rounded flank spots and small pale rosettes over a brown back. It lacks the skin flaps seen on some similar puffers.

Spanish Grunt

Haemulon macrostoma

Size: Up to about 18 inches (45 cm) total length.

Black horizontal upper-body stripes, dark belly and yellow-edged dark fins.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Spanish Hogfish

Bodianus rufus

Size: Maximum about 50 cm.

Yellow wrasse with purple-blue upper front body; no long dorsal streamers.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Spanish Mackerel

Scomberomorus maculatus

Size: Smithsonian reports 101 cm (39.8 inches); FWC summarizes a maximum of 36 inches. These differing summaries should not be treated as a precise typical local size. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

A streamlined silver fish with a blue-green back, scattered golden spots and a dark front portion of the first dorsal fin. The lateral line descends gradually toward the deeply forked tail.

Spanish Sardine

Sardinella aurita

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 35.5 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A slim, nearly cylindrical silver fish with a blue back, faint golden side stripe and usually a black upper gill-cover spot.

Spotfin Butterflyfish

Chaetodon ocellatus

Size: Up to 20 cm; often about 8–15 cm.

A white body, yellow fins and a black eye bar make the adult Spotfin Butterflyfish easy to notice.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; spearing prohibited

Spotfin Hogfish

Bodianus pulchellus

Size: Maximum about 11 inches (29 cm) total length.

Red adult with yellow rear dorsal and tail plus a black blotch at the front of the dorsal fin.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Spotfin Jawfish

Opistognathus robinsi

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 15.9 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A dark, white-speckled jawfish with a large white-ringed eyespot toward the front of its long dorsal fin. The head is broad and the mouth reaches behind the eye.

Spottail Goby

Ctenogobius stigmaturus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 6.5 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Tan goby with dark comma-shaped side blotches, a dark tail-base spot and a barred tail. The preopercular edge is noticeably dark.

Spottail Pinfish

Diplodus holbrookii

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 46 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

A deep silver fish with a steel-blue back and a large black tail-base blotch extending below the lateral line.

Spotted Drum

Eques punctatus

Size: Reported maximum 25 cm; maximum is not a typical sighting size.

Three bold black bars on a white body; adults have pale spots on the dark rear dorsal and tail fins.

Spotted Goatfish

Pseudupeneus maculatus

Size: Reported maximum about 30 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

Two chin barbels and a row of three large dark flank blotches identify this pinkish-white goatfish.

Spotted Moray

Gymnothorax moringa

Size: Many are under 3 feet; exceptionally large records approach or exceed 6 feet.

Cream background with dense irregular brown spots; long jaws and no paired fins.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Spotted Scorpionfish

Scorpaena plumieri

Size: Commonly 18–36 cm; reported maximum 45 cm.

Mottled bulky body, head flaps and white spots on black inner pectoral fins.

General Florida harvest rules; local restrictions apply

Spotted Soapfish

Rypticus subbifrenatus

Size: Maximum about 18 cm (7.1 inches) total length.

Brown soapfish with dark spots, an unspotted belly and two diagnostic marks near the upper eye.

Restricted live collection only; no spearing; protected collection areas apply

Spotted Trunkfish

Lactophrys bicaudalis

Size: Maximum about 19 inches (48 cm) total length.

Pale armored body with dark dots and pale lips; no eye horns, rear lower spines in adults.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Squirrelfish

Holocentrus adscensionis

Size: Maximum about 45 cm (17.7 inches) total length.

Large-eyed pink-red fish with a yellowish spiny dorsal lacking white triangular patches.

No spearing; no take in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Stoplight Parrotfish

Sparisoma viride

Size: Published maxima differ: Florida Museum gives about 55 cm, while Smithsonian lists 64 cm.

A terminal-phase Stoplight Parrotfish wears green, with warm-colored diagonal markings on the head and a conspicuous yellow patch near the upper gill opening.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Striated Frogfish

Antennarius striatus

Size: Commonly about 4 inches; maximum about 10 inches.

Stocky body with dark streaks, skin tassels and a wormlike lure above a large upturned mouth.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Striped Burrfish

Chilomycterus schoepfii

Size: Reported regional maximum 33 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Wavy dark lines; short fixed spines; blunt face.

Striped Grunt

Haemulon striatum

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 28 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Young fish have two long dark stripes and a shorter stripe behind the eye.

A slender grunt with five brown-bronze stripes across the upper head and body. Adults have pale fins and a red mouth lining; the tail is forked.

Striped Parrotfish

Scarus iseri

Size: FishBase gives a maximum of 35 cm total length and a common length around 18 cm.

The illustrated initial-phase Striped Parrotfish has a brownish upper body crossed by pale horizontal stripes, a yellowish snout and a clear tail.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Sunshinefish

Chromis insolata

Size: The Smithsonian account reports a maximum of 16 cm (6.3 inches). Juvenile colors differ markedly from adult colors; size alone does not establish maturity. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

Adults have a gray-brown upper body and white underside, with a shining blue line from the upper lip through the top of the eye. Juveniles are yellow above and violet below. Check the strongly forked tail as well as the color boundary.

Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus

Size: Large adults can exceed 6 feet; maximum reports exceed 8 feet.

Huge reflective scales, upturned mouth, deeply forked tail and a trailing dorsal-fin ray.

Protected catch-and-release fishery; narrow record-tag exception

Threespot Damselfish

Stegastes planifrons

Size: Reported regional maximum 12.5 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Yellow juvenile; dorsal-base spot; pectoral-base spot in adult.

Tiger Goby

Tigrigobius macrodon

Size: Maximum about 5 cm (2.0 inches).

A pale grayish body is crossed by roughly thirteen or fourteen narrow black bars, with three more on the head.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Tiger Grouper

Mycteroperca tigris

Size: Reported maximum 101 cm (about 40 in).

Dense reddish-brown spotting with narrow, strongly oblique pale bars; outer pectoral fin can be yellowish and the inside of the mouth orange.

Tomtate

Haemulon aurolineatum

Size: Up to about 10 inches (25 cm) total length.

Silver body, two main yellowish stripes and a black tail-base blotch.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Trumpetfish

Aulostomus maculatus

Size: Commonly about 24 inches; maximum roughly 39 inches.

Long tube-shaped snout, chin barbel, separate short dorsal spines and a rounded tail.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Trunkfish

Lactophrys trigonus

Size: Reported regional maximum 55 cm; not a typical encounter size.

Humped back; rear lower spines; honeycomb plates.

Twospot Cardinalfish

Apogon pseudomaculatus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum length of 11 cm. This is a regional upper record, not a typical local encounter size.

Red to salmon, with a dark spot below the rear dorsal fin and a separate sharply defined tail-base spot or teardrop.

White Grunt

Haemulon plumierii

Size: Commonly around 12 inches; exceptional fish can exceed 20 inches.

Blue head lines on a pale silvery body with bronze-edged scales and darker rear fins.

Harvest regulated; state and federal limits differ

White Mullet

Mugil curema

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 91 cm, not a typical local encounter size.

Silvery robust mullet with a white iris, gold gill-cover patch, dark upper pectoral base and separated dorsal fins.

Whitenose Pipefish

Cosmocampus albirostris

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 21 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

A stout, angular pipefish with a pale or unpigmented snout, strong head ridges and usually skin flaps. Light and brown crossbars may interrupt the body.

Whitespotted Filefish

Cantherhines macrocerus

Size: The reference reports 40 cm (15.7 inches). Juveniles are black with numerous pale spots, so they should not be expected to match every adult color pattern. Browsing bands are approximate, not harvest limits.

A deep, flattened filefish with an extended pointed snout. Brown and orange patches may carry white spots, but spotting varies. Two pairs of strong yellow spines on the tail base are a valuable confirming feature.

Wrasse Blenny

Hemiemblemaria simula

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 11.3 cm. The entry does not explicitly identify total, fork or standard length for this maximum. Juveniles are translucent with a dark stripe; adults vary substantially in color.

A long pointed-headed blenny, sometimes with a broad dark stripe ending in a round tail-base spot. A dark mark sits near the front dorsal edge; the eye is red.

Yellow Garden Eel

Heteroconger luteolus

Size: Smithsonian reports a maximum of 50 cm. This is a source-specific upper length, not a typical local sighting size.

Extremely slender, with a yellow upper head and forebody, tiny dark dots and an abruptly white underside.

Yellow Goatfish

Mulloidichthys martinicus

Size: Reported maximum about 40 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

A yellow stripe joins the eye to a bright yellow forked tail; two long chin barbels distinguish it from striped snappers.

Yellow Jack

Caranx bartholomaei

Size: Up to about 39 inches (100 cm) total length.

Plain silvery-yellow body, yellow fins, long pectoral and deeply forked tail.

Harvest may be allowed; limits and site restrictions apply

Yellowface Pikeblenny

Chaenopsis limbaughi

Size: The Smithsonian account reports 8.2 cm. It does not explicitly specify total, fork or standard length for this value; do not compare it directly with a length-labeled measurement.

An elongated pikeblenny whose males have a yellow face and a pale-ringed black spot at the front of the dorsal fin, with orange above it. Females are more subdued.

Yellowfin Mojarra

Gerres cinereus

Size: Reported maximum about 41 cm; see profile for life-stage and measurement notes.

A silvery deep-bodied fish with faint bars, yellow pelvic and anal fins, and a mouth that protrudes downward.

Yellowhead Jawfish

Opistognathus aurifrons

Size: Up to about 4 inches.

Yellow head, pale blue body and an oversized mouth beside a sand burrow.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Yellowhead Wrasse

Halichoeres garnoti

Size: Maximum about 12 inches (30 cm) total length.

Terminal phase: yellow head, black T-shaped marking and pale lower body.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Yellowtail (Redfin) Parrotfish

Sparisoma rubripinne

Size: Reported maximum 48 cm; juveniles resemble the initial phase.

Initial phase: gray-brown scales, yellow tail base and tail, reddish lower fins. Terminal phase: greener with red iris and dark pectoral-base spot.

Yellowtail Damselfish

Microspathodon chrysurus

Size: Commonly about 15 cm; maximum 21 cm.

Dark chunky adult with a pale-to-yellow tail and scattered blue spots.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; no spearing

Yellowtail Snapper

Ocyurus chrysurus

Size: Maximum about 30 inches (75 cm) total length.

Yellow side stripe widens into a deeply forked yellow tail; no dark side spot.

Regulated food fish: size and combined snapper limits apply

Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

A slender blue-backed predator with an elongated snout, cobalt vertical bars, a long first dorsal fin and small finlets approaching the deeply forked tail.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

King Mackerel

Scomberomorus cavalla

Adults are blue-green above and silver below. The lateral line drops abruptly beneath the second dorsal fin; the front of the first dorsal lacks the dark patch typical of Spanish mackerel.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Bonefish

Albula vulpes

A streamlined silver fish with a green-blue back and a pointed snout overhanging the lower jaw. The deeply forked tail and faint upper-body streaks help separate it from ladyfish.

Catch and release only; no food harvest

Red Drum

Sciaenops ocellatus

A copper-colored drum with large scales, no chin barbels and usually one or more dark spots near the tail base. A missing spot does not automatically exclude red drum.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Mahi-mahi

Coryphaena hippurus

A long, compressed body tapers toward a deeply forked tail. A continuous dark dorsal fin starts above the eye; the back glows blue-green and the sides yellow. Mature males have a steep forehead, while females have a sloping profile.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Black Drum

Pogonias cromis

A high arched back, large scales and chin barbels distinguish black drum. Young fish carry broad vertical bars that fade with age.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Spotted Seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus

A gray-green back bears clear black spots continuing onto dorsal fins and tail. A pair of large upper-jaw canine teeth separates it from harmless-looking small silver fishes.

Indian River Lagoon harvest closed November–December; Southeast region rules differ

Ladyfish

Elops saurus

A slender silver fish with a blue back, pointed head and terminal mouth. The final dorsal ray does not form the long filament seen in tarpon.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Striped Mullet

Mugil cephalus

A blunt-nosed silver fish with faint horizontal stripes and no dark pectoral-base spot. The second dorsal begins roughly above the anal-fin origin.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Gafftopsail Catfish

Bagre marinus

A blue-green marine catfish with very long flattened mouth-corner barbels and two chin barbels. Dorsal and pectoral spines carry long fleshy extensions.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Tripletail

Lobotes surinamensis

A deep mottled brown fish whose rear dorsal and anal fins resemble extra tails. The nape becomes concave and the cheek edge is serrated.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Blackfin Tuna

Thunnus atlanticus

Look for a compact tuna with a bronze side stripe, dark finlets edged in white and a dusky second dorsal fin. The second dorsal and anal fins are not stretched into long sickles.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

A huge spotted dorsal sail, long narrow pelvic fins and an elongated upper-jaw bill distinguish this blue-backed billfish from marlins.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

Long second-dorsal and anal-fin lobes, yellow finlets and a gold side stripe distinguish large yellowfin. Pectoral fins extend toward the second dorsal origin.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Skipjack Tuna

Katsuwonus pelamis

Four to six dark horizontal stripes run along the lower sides beneath a purple-blue back. The pectoral fins are relatively short.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Little Tunny

Euthynnus alletteratus

Broken, wavy dark markings cover the upper rear body. Several dark spots sit below each short pectoral fin; the belly lacks skipjack-style stripes.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

A blue-green back, silver sides, large toothed mouth and dark pectoral-base patch identify this schooling predator.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Southern Kingfish

Menticirrhus americanus

Seven or eight muted diagonal dark marks cross a gray-brown body. A single chin barbel and pale tail tip help separate it from other whiting.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Gulf Kingfish

Menticirrhus littoralis

A mostly unmarked silver drum with one chin barbel, a blackish tail tip and often a dusky first-dorsal tip.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Atlantic Croaker

Micropogonias undulatus

A silver-bronze drum with vague wavy side markings, small chin barbels and a strongly toothed edge to the cheek bone.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Red Snapper

Lutjanus campechanus

Pink-red body, a red iris, long triangular snout and pointed rear anal fin distinguish adults. Adult sides lack a large dark blotch.

Atlantic recreational harvest closed at November 12 check; verify current rules

Vermilion Snapper

Rhomboplites aurorubens

A rosy fish with large red eyes, a gently rounded anal-fin outline and no large canine teeth. Faint yellow side streaks can appear.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Silk Snapper

Lutjanus vivanus

A pink-red snapper with a yellow iris, wavy yellow side lines, pale yellow pectoral fins and a black-trimmed tail edge.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Queen Snapper

Etelis oculatus

A slender red snapper with very large yellow eyes, a deeply forked tail and a notched dorsal fin.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Spot

Leiostomus xanthurus

A conspicuous dark blotch behind the gill cover sits above brassy sides with slanting dark lines. A forked tail distinguishes it from Florida’s other drums.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Weakfish

Cynoscion regalis

Small irregular markings form wavy rows across the upper sides. Look for yellowish pelvic and anal fins, two upper-jaw canines and no chin barbels.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Sand Seatrout

Cynoscion arenarius

A pale fish with a yellowish or tan back, yellow mouth interior and large upper-jaw canine teeth. Dark back spots and chin barbels are absent.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

An olive-gray tilefish with a gold snout-to-eye stripe underlined in blue, long dorsal and anal fins and no fleshy forehead crest.

South Atlantic federal recreational harvest closed; state-water rules and vessel restrictions require separate review

Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Bright yellow spots cover a blue-olive body. A large yellowish fleshy crest rises above the head and a blue line lies below the eye.

South Atlantic federal recreational harvest closed; state-water rules and vessel restrictions require separate review

Pompano Dolphinfish

Coryphaena equiselis

A deep-bodied dolphinfish with a long dorsal fin and deeply forked tail; photographs may not separate it reliably from young mahi-mahi.

Restrictions apply; verify current rules and health advice

Chain Moray

Echidna catenata

Pale chain-like lines divide a dark eel-shaped body into irregular patches.

Observe without handling; collection and protected-site restrictions require verification

Longlure Frogfish

Antennarius multiocellatus

A long lure, eye-like spots and limb-like fins distinguish this variable-color ambush fish.

Observe without handling; collection and protected-site restrictions require verification

Gulf Toadfish

Opsanus beta

A broad flattened head, fleshy jaw tabs and mottled body help this coastal fish blend into shelter.

Observe without handling; collection and protected-site restrictions require verification

Southern Stargazer

Astroscopus y-graecum

Upward-facing eyes, pale body spots and a striped tail characterize this sand-burying fish.

Electrical defense; do not touch or uncover buried fish. Verify collection and site rules

Mangrove Rivulus

Kryptolebias marmoratus

A small olive-brown fish of mangrove pools and damp refuges, sometimes with a dark tail-base spot.

Protect mangrove refuges; delisting is not collection permission

Inshore Lizardfish

Synodus foetens

Slender mottled bottom fish with a large toothed mouth and a small adipose fin behind the main dorsal.

Observe without handling; check current collection rules and protected-area restrictions

Checkered Puffer

Sphoeroides testudineus

Uninflated puffer with pale geometric markings over dark back patches, spotted sides and no pelvic fins.

Do not eat puffers; local harvest prohibitions and poisoning risk apply

Dwarf Seahorse

Hippocampus zosterae

Small seahorse with a short snout, tall coronet and grasping tail; size alone does not confirm the species.

Observe without handling; check current collection rules and protected-area restrictions

Florida Blenny

Chasmodes saburrae

Compact blenny with eye cirri, chin flaps and cheek dots; adult males may show a blue anterior dorsal patch.

Observe without handling; check current collection rules and protected-area restrictions

Emerald Clingfish

Acyrtops beryllinus

Tiny green-patterned fish with a broad head, large eyes and an adhesive disc underneath the body.

Observe without handling; check current collection rules and protected-area restrictions

Northern Sennet

Sphyraena borealis

A slender barracuda relative with a pointed snout and widely separated dorsal fins.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

A broad flattened bill and powerful streamlined body distinguish adult swordfish.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Silver Perch

Bairdiella chrysoura

A small silvery coastal drum with a yellowish lower body and fins.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Feather Blenny

Hypsoblennius hentz

Branched head appendages, steep forehead and a curved dark cheek blotch help identify this small shelter-dweller.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Skilletfish

Gobiesox strumosus

Flattened rounded head and a pelvic suction disc distinguish this small clingfish.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Oyster Toadfish

Opsanus tau

Broad flattened head, large mouth and mottled body characterize this sheltering toadfish.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Spotted Dragonet

Diplogrammus pauciradiatus

High-set eyes, flattened head and male dorsal filaments distinguish this tiny dragonet.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Dusky Pipefish

Syngnathus floridae

A slender armored pipefish whose exact identification requires more than color alone.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Chain Pipefish

Syngnathus louisianae

An elongated pipefish with markings that must be checked alongside diagnostic proportions.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Panulirus argus

Size: Adults may approach 60 cm total body length; antennae are excluded.

Long, stiff antennae, a spiny reddish-brown shell and pale spots identify the familiar Florida spiny lobster.

Seasonal harvest only: size, bag and egg-bearing protections apply

Spanish Slipper Lobster

Scyllarides aequinoctialis

Size: About 15–30 cm total body length; large examples exceed 30 cm.

This lobster looks broad and armored, with flattened antennae forming plates in front of the head.

Egg-bearing lobsters protected; general harvest rules apply

Spotted Spiny Lobster

Panulirus guttatus

Size: Typically a small lobster; maximum total body length about 20 cm.

Numerous small white spots cover the darker shell of this compact spiny lobster.

Egg-bearing lobsters protected; general harvest rules apply

West Indian Manatee

Trichechus manatus

Size: Typical adult snout-to-tail length 2.7–3 m (9–10 ft).

Florida's native manatee is Trichechus manatus latirostris, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee.

Atlantic Brief Squid

Lolliguncula brevis

Size: The field guide reports Up to 5 in. (13 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

The 1973 Sea Grant guide describes a short, chunky squid with broad rounded fins and a narrow dark line along the back.

Atlantic Longfin Squid

Doryteuthis pealeii

Size: Mantle usually under 30 cm; large males may reach about 50 cm mantle length.

A slender, pointed mantle and paired fins extending along much of its rear half give this squid a streamlined outline.

General Florida harvest rules; no species-specific statewide closed season identified

Caribbean Reef Octopus

Octopus briareus

Size: Mantle to about 12 cm; flexible arms make total spread much larger.

Look for eight long arms, a soft rounded mantle and skin that can shift through blue-green, brown and mottled patterns.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; Blue Heron Bridge closed

Caribbean Reef Squid

Sepioteuthis sepioidea

Size: Mantle to about 20 cm; head, arms and tentacles add to overall length.

Broad fins extend along nearly the entire mantle, giving this squid a flattened, leaflike outline.

General Florida harvest rules; no species-specific statewide closed season identified

Atlantic Guitarfish

Pseudobatos lentiginosus

Size: Up to about 30 in (75 cm) total length, including the thick tail.

Pointed flattened disc; pale freckles; thick sharklike tail with two dorsal fins.

Atlantic Stingray

Hypanus sabinus

Size: FWC reports up to 2 feet (61 cm) disc width; many Florida lagoon adults are much smaller.

Rounded disc corners, strongly projecting pointed snout and long slender tail.

Harvest allowed under default limits; not a protected manta or eagle ray

Bluntnose Stingray

Hypanus say

Size: Large individuals about 3–3.3 ft (0.9–1 m) disc width, excluding the tail.

Short blunt snout; rounded diamond disc; midline tubercles; upper and lower tail folds.

Cownose Ray

Rhinoptera bonasus

Size: Up to about 4 ft (1.2 m) disc width, measured wingtip to wingtip.

Plain brown angular wings; projecting two-lobed notched snout; whip tail with basal spine.

Lesser Devil Ray

Mobula hypostoma

Size: Up to about 4 ft (1.2 m) disc width, excluding the tail.

Dark pointed wings; short paired cephalic horns; mouth under head; no tail spine.

Southern Stingray

Hypanus americanus

Size: Large females may reach around 5 feet across; some references report up to 6.5 feet (2 m) disc width.

Angular diamond-shaped disc, plain gray-brown back and a long whip tail.

Harvest allowed under default limits; not a protected manta or eagle ray

Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus narinari

Size: Large Atlantic females reported around 2.3 m disc width.

White spots on dark wings; Projecting duck-like snout; Long whip tail.

Protected; recreational harvest prohibited

Yellow Stingray

Urobatis jamaicensis

Size: Research review: average about 33.5 cm total length, 16 cm disc width; older large maxima disputed.

Rounded mottled disc; Short tail with tail fin; No dorsal fin.

Aquarium live collection only; no food harvest

Lesser Electric Ray

Narcine bancroftii

Rounded disc, stout tail and two small dorsal fins identify this electric ray outline.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Bullnose Ray

Myliobatis freminvillei

Broad pointed wings and a projecting rounded snout distinguish the bullnose profile.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Roughtail Stingray

Bathytoshia centroura

A large angular disc and conspicuous thorny tail distinguish this stingray.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Atlantic Butterfly Ray

Gymnura lessae

Very broad butterfly-shaped disc and short barred tail without a spine.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Clearnose Skate

Rostroraja eglanteria

Transparent patches beside the snout and a thorny midline help identify this skate.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Smalltooth Sawfish

Pristis pectinata

A toothed saw-like snout and flattened shark-like body identify this endangered ray.

Protected: no recreational harvest; observe without handling or disturbance.

Western Atlantic Torpedo

Tetronarce occidentalis

A broad nearly round disc and stout tail characterize this Western Atlantic electric ray.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Size: Adult carapace about 90–122 cm (3–4 ft).

The small head, smooth-looking oval shell and one pair of large scales between the eyes distinguish a green turtle.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata

Size: Typical mature shell length about 61–91 cm (2–3 ft).

Look for a narrow head ending in a projecting hawk-like beak.

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Lepidochelys kempii

Size: Adult carapace about 60–70 cm (24–28 in); typical weight 70–100 lb.

Adults have a gray-green upper shell and pale yellowish underside.

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

Size: Adult carapace about 121–244 cm (4–8 ft); typical adults are smaller than the upper end.

Seven lengthwise ridges run along the dark, leathery upper shell.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Caretta caretta

Size: Average adult shell about 91 cm (3 ft); average weight about 275 lb.

A disproportionately large, blocky head is the first clue.

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size: Rarely exceeds about 3.5 ft (1.1 m) total length.

Long pointed snout; pale adult spots; second dorsal starts late relative to anal fin.

Blacknose Shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Size: Large individuals about 4.5–5 ft (1.4–1.5 m) total length.

Dark snout-tip blotch, strongest in juveniles; small first dorsal; no interdorsal ridge.

Blacktip shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Size: Average adult length about 5 feet.

Dark fin tips, pointed snout and a usually pale anal fin. Compare with spinner sharks.

Regulated harvest; not a prohibited shark species

Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Size: Commonly 3–4 ft (0.9–1.2 m); maximum near 5 ft (1.5 m) total length.

Smooth rounded shovel head, without a central notch; small coastal hammerhead.

Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Size: Large adults reach about 11 feet; exceptional published reports reach 13 feet.

Stocky body, very short rounded snout, small eyes and a much smaller second dorsal fin.

Regulated harvest; not a prohibited shark species

Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezii

Size: Up to about 9.7 ft (3 m) total length.

Rounded snout; interdorsal ridge; long pectorals; gray body and dusky fin undersides.

Finetooth Shark

Carcharhinus isodon

Size: Up to roughly 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m) total length, following FWC.

Long gill slits; slender blue-gray body; plain fin tips; no interdorsal ridge.

Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Size: Can approach 20 ft (6 m) total length.

Nearly straight T-shaped adult head with central notch; very tall sickle-shaped first dorsal.

Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Size: Adults commonly 8–10 ft (2.4–3 m); reported maximum about 10.5 ft (3.2 m) total length.

Blunt snout; two nearly equal dorsal fins; unmarked yellow-brown or olive body.

Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Size: Newborns about 27–30 cm; large adults around 3 m.

Nasal barbels; Rounded dorsal fins; Very long tail.

Regulated harvest; not a prohibited shark species

Sand Tiger Shark

Carcharias taurus

Size: Up to about 10.5 ft (3.2 m) total length; pups roughly 3 ft (0.9 m).

Protruding needlelike teeth; pointed snout; two nearly equal rearward dorsal fins.

Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Size: About 7.5–8 ft (2.3–2.4 m) maximum total length in FWC/NOAA summaries.

Very tall triangular first dorsal, set forward; short snout; interdorsal ridge.

Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Size: Up to about 14 ft (4.3 m) total length.

Curved scalloped head front with central notch; small second dorsal with long rear tip.

Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Size: Up to roughly 7–8 ft (2.1–2.4 m) total length.

Slim pointed snout; rearward first dorsal; adult anal fin has a black tip.

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Size: Can reach about 15–18 ft (4.6–5.5 m) total length.

Broad blunt head; dark vertical bars, especially in younger animals; long upper tail lobe.

Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

Size: The largest living fish; large individuals can exceed 40 ft (12 m) total length.

Broad flat head with front-facing mouth; white spot-and-line pattern; long body ridges.

White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

Robust shark with a conical snout, triangular dorsal fin and sharply contrasting pale underside.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Streamlined shark with a pointed snout, short pectoral fins and a powerful crescent-shaped tail.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Longfin Mako

Isurus paucus

Slender mako with exceptionally long pectoral fins and a dusky adult snout underside.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Common Thresher Shark

Alopias vulpinus

A thresher with a very long upper tail lobe, moderate lateral eyes and no deep head grooves.

Conditional harvest rules differ by jurisdiction; verify current permits, size, vessel and gear limits

Bigeye Thresher

Alopias superciliosus

Large upward-directed eyes and deep head grooves help distinguish this long-tailed thresher.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Carcharhinus longimanus

Broad rounded dorsal and pectoral fins often carry pale mottled tips.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Silky Shark

Carcharhinus falciformis

Slender shark with a rounded snout and low first dorsal behind the pectoral rear tips.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Large gray requiem shark with a sloping first dorsal; similar species require careful comparison.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Bignose Shark

Carcharhinus altimus

Broad elongated snout, fairly straight pectorals and a substantial first dorsal.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Night Shark

Carcharhinus signatus

Large eyes, pointed snout and a relatively small first dorsal characterize this deeper-water shark.

Recreational retention prohibited; release without removing from water

Blue Shark

Prionace glauca

Slender blue-backed shark with long pointed pectoral fins and a rear-set first dorsal.

No harvest clearance: confirm species, jurisdiction, current restrictions and vessel rules

Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Hammer-shaped head lacks the central notch typical of other large hammerheads.

Florida harvest prohibited; federal conditions differ. Check exact jurisdiction

Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Two large spineless dorsal fins and an anal fin distinguish this slender dogfish.

No harvest clearance: confirm species, jurisdiction, current restrictions and vessel rules

Chain Dogfish

Scyliorhinus retifer

A dark chain-like network covers this small slender catshark.

No harvest clearance: confirm species, jurisdiction, current restrictions and vessel rules

Cuban Dogfish

Squalus cubensis

A spine precedes each dorsal fin and no anal fin is present.

No harvest clearance: confirm species, jurisdiction, current restrictions and vessel rules

Caribbean Spanish Dancer

Hexabranchus morsomus

Orange-to-red body, broad mantle skirt and six branching gills. Commonly reported to 12 cm, with some reports to 20 cm.

West Palm Beach Spanish-dancer sighting is user-reported; species identification remains unverified. Observe without touching or provoking swimming. Check current collection rules.

Antilles oxynoe

Oxynoe antillarum

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

A green body has mottled pale markings, including bands extending from the rhinophores along the head. Pale edging follows the parapodia and foot, and scattered papillae may also be white.

Atlantic Deer Cowrie

Macrocypraea cervus

Size: Large shells may approach 19 cm; many adults are smaller.

The adult shell is glossy, elongated and brown with numerous pale spots reminiscent of a fawn’s coat.

Live-shell collection restrictions apply; not the queen-conch rule

Atlantic Triton’s Trumpet

Charonia variegata

Size: Shell length to33 cm(13 in) in FAO identification account.

Heavy patterned triton shell with short front canal and white folds and teeth inside the aperture.

Berghia creutzbergi

Berghia creutzbergi

Size: The original account discussed by the museum described a living 15 mm animal from Curaçao. A later Bahamian example was 4.5 mm. These are individual records, not a growth series or a Florida maximum.

The museum discussion describes a brownish animal with extensive white spots or pigment and bumpy, rather than regularly ringed, head tentacles. The identification history is cautious: close detail of the head tentacles matters more than an overall white-spotted appearance.

Berghia marcusi

Berghia marcusi

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

A slender translucent-white aeolid with a white median band and a bright orange boomerang-shaped mark on each side of the head. The rhinophores have red bases, cream tips and dense posterior papillae.

Cadlina rumia

Cadlina rumia

Size: The primary Caribbean guide reports up to 15 mm. That is the guide’s reported value, not a measured limit for the local population. A Florida life-stage series is not available in the reviewed evidence.

A flattened, pale oval nudibranch with tiny bumps and yellow mantle glands. Head tentacles and gills may be yellow-brown. A close view of these features is more useful than calling any small white dorid this species.

Camachoaglaja berolina

Camachoaglaja berolina

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

A dark, elongate cylindrical headshield slug with opaque turquoise circular spots and ciliary tufts beside the mouth. Its paired tail lobes differ in length, with the left lobe longer and pointed.

Colorful Moon Snail

Naticarius canrena

Size: The museum account gives shell size to 38 mm. This is a shell measurement, not the length of the extended living animal.

A rounded, thin-walled shell has a deep underside hollow partly filled by a white callus. Its white operculum has strong spiral ridges.

Common Atlantic Marginella

Prunum apicinum

Size: The museum account gives shell size to 10 mm. This is not the extended animal’s length.

A glossy pear-shaped shell with a narrow opening and thick outer lip. Four folds lie on the columella; the outer lip usually has two brown spots.

Costasiella arenaria

Costasiella arenaria

Size: The description records crawling animals 5–8 mm long and preserved animals 2–3 mm long. Preservation and live measurements must remain separate.

A small sacoglossan with closely spaced central eyes, a deeply notched head and inflated cerata arranged in three or four longitudinal rows on each side.

Dondice juansanchezi

Dondice juansanchezi

Size: Illustrated living specimens 10–14 mm; maximum not established here.

Slender aeolid with pinkish-white speckles, a broken blue dorsal line, paired orange helix-like markings and ringed rhinophores.

Doto torrelavega

Doto torrelavega

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

The original-description abstract characterizes a golden-yellow body with white papillae, lobed rhinophore sheaths, gold rings on the ceratal tubercles and a conspicuous pseudobranch.

Doto varaderoensis

Doto varaderoensis

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

The museum species account describes a translucent, white-flecked body, pink-orange viscera and ceratal cores, and rounded inflated tubercles without pigment spots. White-flecked rhinophore sheaths have an anterior triangular extension and an apparent posterior V-shaped notch; the museum treats the notch cautiously.

Dushia flabellina

Edmundsella dushia

Size: Published living length to 15 mm; local observations about 8–14 mm.

Tiny pale aeolid with red, orange or yellow digestive branches in the cerata and relatively short, smooth rhinophores.

Elysia cornigera

Elysia cornigera

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

The guide describes rolled rhinophores, numerous pale papillae and red specks on a whitish-to-green body.

Elysia pawliki

Elysia pawliki

Size: Two Brazilian individuals in the accessed treatment had a body length of 25 mm. This is a measured sample, not a Florida maximum.

An olive-green Elysia with a light beige head, rhinophores and parapodia, and scattered brown dots. The conspicuous head bears small black eyes. Long rolled rhinophores bear tubercles, giving them a curly texture.

Elysia zuleicae

Elysia zuleicae

Size: A secure maximum is not provided here. Juveniles in the primary study were darker green and held their flaps flat against the food alga.

A green sacoglossan with rolled head tentacles and white specks or small white projections along thin side flaps. The margins can be uneven, but the primary description does not give it the siphonal openings of some similar Elysia.

Eveline's learchis

Learchis evelinae

Size: The museum account documents a roughly 20 mm living Florida animal and 3–9 mm Barbados specimens. These are individual observations, not a measured maximum.

Look for a translucent aeolid with white speckling. Smooth rhinophores have a clear base, orange middle and white tip; the oral tentacles are mostly white.

Felimida binza

Felimida binza

Size: The local photographer estimated 20 mm for the illustrated individual. This is a photographic observation, not an adult maximum or a population size range.

The museum identification account describes an irregular red network surrounding pale blue patches, with a yellow hourglass-like dorsal pattern.

Flamingo Tongue

Cyphoma gibbosum

Size: Shell usually about 2–3 cm long.

Cream, orange and black markings make the flamingo tongue look like a tiny decorated shell.

Live-shell collection restrictions apply; not the queen-conch rule

Florida Fighting Conch

Strombus pugilis

Size: Shell usually several centimeters long, reaching about 10 cm.

This small true conch has a thick spiral shell with a pointed spire, shoulder knobs and an expanded adult outer lip.

Live-shell collection restrictions apply; not the queen-conch rule

Frond Oyster

Dendostrea frons

Size: The museum account gives shell size to 45 mm; outline varies with attachment surface.

A reddish to dark-brown oyster with a variable outline. Shells on sea whips tend to be elongated; those on rock can be rounded.

Giant Eastern Murex

Hexaplex fulvescens

Size: The museum reports shells exceeding 213 mm in length. This is a shell dimension, not the length of the extended living animal.

A massive shell bears prominent pointed spines. Color varies through tawny brown, yellow-brown, orange and cream; a pale specimen is not necessarily a different species.

Gold-lined sea goddess

Felimare ruthae

Size: The museum account reports body length of at least 25 mm, explicitly noting that published records were sparse.

A blue-black mantle carries yellow lines and a pale border interrupted around the middle of each side. The number of longitudinal lines can increase as the animal grows.

Harlequin blue doris

Felimida clenchi

Size: The local photographer estimated 20 mm for the illustrated individual. This is a photographic observation, not an adult maximum or a population size range.

The older museum comparison emphasizes rounded violet dorsal patches outlined by fine red lines, with a yellow hourglass-like pattern.

Horse Conch

Triplofusus giganteus

Size: Exceptional shells approach 60 cm; most encountered animals are smaller.

A long, spindle-shaped shell with a high spire and extended siphonal canal houses this impressive predatory snail.

Live-shell collection restrictions apply; not the queen-conch rule

Lemon-drop doris

Doriopsilla pharpa

Size: Nine adults in the Long Island Sound study averaged 11 mm. That small sample is not a maximum, a juvenile growth curve or a size measurement of the Florida photograph.

A small, flattened oval nudibranch, described as bright yellow-orange in a 2025 primary study. Specialists used body shape and the arrangement of gills and head tentacles as well as color. The local page uses the synonym Cariopsilla pharpa; color alone is not a secure diagnosis.

Lightning Whelk

Sinistrofulgur sinistrum

Size: Shells can reach about 38 cm; juveniles are much smaller.

With the spire pointing upward and the opening facing you, this whelk’s opening lies on the left.

Live-shell collection restrictions apply; not the queen-conch rule

Lobiger souverbii

Lobiger souverbii

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

The Caribbean guide describes a fragile translucent shell whose apex points backward and left. Each parapodium forms two slender leaflike projections with white marginal papillae. Short rolled rhinophores and a green mantle with longitudinal black lines and blue dots complete the described pattern; mantle markings show through the shell.

Lomanotus vermiformis

Lomanotus vermiformis

Size: The museum account says it seldom exceeds 25 mm in body length. This is a usual-size statement, not an absolute maximum.

This unusually slender nudibranch has wavy mantle ridges bearing short, pointed cerata.

Marcus' aeolid

Coryphellina marcusorum

Size: Published upper length 25–30 mm; local photographed individual 6–10 mm.

Translucent pink-orange aeolid with repeated purple bands near pale appendage tips and papillae on the rear of the rhinophores.

Mysterious aglaja

Navanax gemmatus

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

An internal reduced shell, an elongate headshield and blue spots along the parapodial edge characterize the published account.

Nakamigawaia felis

Nakamigawaia felis

Size: The museum account cites living type-description animals of 8–12 mm and smaller Jamaican specimens. These are lengths of observed animals, not a complete growth range.

The original-description discussion describes velvet-black or dark reddish-brown animals, a substantial headshield and no long posterior flagellum.

Petalifera ramosa

Petalifera ramosa

Size: The museum account cites animals 5–7 cm long in the original description. This is not a measured range for the Peanut Island population or a maturity threshold.

A sea hare with conspicuous conical bumps scattered across the body. Some larger bumps end in branching filaments; smaller ones can be pink with dark rings around their bases. The branching surface is more informative than a single brown or green color impression.

Polycera herthae

Polycera herthae

Size: The original account describes living juveniles around 3 mm and a preserved 2.5 mm specimen. Neither value should be used as an adult maximum.

The original treatment describes small brown animals with pale and dark dots, short oral-veil projections and a rear gill cluster. The rhinophores and gills require a clear close view.

Polycera odhneri

Polycera odhneri

Size: The original Brazilian sample reached about 10 mm alive at the water surface and 7 mm preserved. The supplement reports three 18 mm adults near Ubatuba in September 1956. These are sample observations, not maximum lengths for the species.

Marcus describes a yellowish-gray body with irregular black patches and red and yellow dots, usually four slender anterior velar processes, swollen mantle-ridge papillae, small lateral tubercles and a tail crest. One original specimen had six velar processes. The adult supplement records more black pigmentation, up to seven gills and up to fifteen rhinophore lamellae.

Polycera rycia

Polycera rycia

Size: The original Florida specimen was 5 mm long after preservation. This is not a live adult maximum.

The original treatment describes a generally white animal with brown and orange marks, five oral-veil processes, lamellate rhinophores and seven short gills. Papillae also occur on the two blunt extra-gill processes.

Queen Conch

Aliger gigas

Size: Shell can reach about 30 cm; shell lip thickness is important to maturity.

The adult queen conch carries a heavy spiral shell with a broad flared lip and pink interior.

PROTECTED: no Florida recreational harvest; ESA threatened

Rudmania grahami

Rudmania grahami

Size: The museum account reports approximately 20 mm body length. The exact local record is a juvenile estimated at about 7 mm; the two figures describe different life stages and are not conflicting maxima.

Look for a pinkish translucent mantle with orange-red spots arranged in three lengthwise rows, a pale marginal band and a thin yellow-orange line.

Scotch bonnet

Semicassis granulata

Size: Museum reports shell length to 90 mm; other references give larger figures.

Rounded pale shell with rectangular brown spots, fine spiral grooves, a thickened toothed outer lip and a short upturned canal.

Spotted Sea Hare

Aplysia dactylomela

Size: Around15 cm(6 in) extended body length in Bermuda account; thin shell internal.

Olive or tan sea hare with black rings, rolled rhinophores and broad folded side flaps.

Spurilla dupontae

Spurilla dupontae

Size: A reliable numerical size with a defined measurement basis was not established from the accessed sources. Do not turn a photograph’s apparent scale or observation depth into body length.

The published account describes an elongate aeolid with a pale translucent body, a brownish reticulate pattern and white spotting. Rhinophores are lamellate rather than smooth.

Swallowtail aglaja

Chelidonura hirundinina

Size: The museum account says living animals usually remain below 40 mm body length. The local photo caption estimates about 22 mm for its particular animal.

Brazilian specimens in the modern treatment have a blue T-shaped head marking, blue parapodial edging, a V-shaped blue tail mark and a white posterior-shield rectangle. These reported pattern traits do not independently identify every Caribbean photograph.

Tenellia maua

Tenellia maua

Size: The Florida holotype is a preserved animal 5 mm long. The separate local photographer estimated about 4 mm for a living individual; neither is a maximum.

The modern treatment describes a broad body, smooth rhinophores and short finger-like cerata in continuous rows. The rounded front of the foot lacks projecting corners; Florida observations show white pigment near the ceratal tips.

True Tulip

Fasciolaria tulipa

Size: Shell length to20 cm(about8 in), excluding extended soft body.

Smooth spindle shell with many fine brown spiral lines, variable blotches and a red-orange foot.

Umbraculum umbraculum

Umbraculum umbraculum

Size: The museum illustrates animals 12–14 cm long, but those examples are not a maximum size or measurements of the Florida photographs. No life-stage series is verified here.

An umbrella-like external shell sits on a broad, rounded body covered in large bumps. The shell can carry encrusting growth, making it look like part of the surrounding bottom. Tubular head tentacles emerge beneath the shell and help reveal the animal’s orientation.

Warty sidegill slug

Pleurobranchus areolatus

Size: Up to 150 mm in a published guide; local photo estimate about 100 mm.

Broad oval slug with polygonal bumps, rolled rhinophores and a gill hidden beneath the right mantle edge; color varies.

Lettered Olive

Oliva sayana

A glossy cylindrical shell with a short spire, narrow opening and irregular brown markings.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Crown Conch

Melongena corona

A stout banded shell with crownlike shoulder spines, associated with estuarine and shallow coastal habitats.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Common Atlantic Slipper Snail

Crepidula fornicata

Oval caplike shell with a curved apex and a white interior shelf; living animals may form stacks.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Shark Eye

Neverita duplicata

Smooth globose moon-snail shell with a low spire and broad final whorl.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Dark Cerith

Cerithium atratum

Narrow turret shell with beaded spiral cords and irregular brown-gray markings.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Ragged Sea Hare

Bursatella leachii

Branching fleshy papillae and blue-centered markings distinguish this shaggy sea slug.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Lettuce Sea Slug

Elysia crispata

Broad ruffled body flaps resemble lettuce leaves; variable color alone does not establish identification.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Caribbean Helmet

Cassis tuberosa

Heavy patterned shell with a thick toothed lip and triangular opening; a helmet snail, not a true conch.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Black-Ball Sponge

Ircinia strobilina

Size: The field guide reports 1 to 2 ft. (30 to 60 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A dark, rounded mass with prominent conical bumps, often linked by ridges. Large openings cluster in a depression on top.

Brown Clustered Tube Sponge

Agelas wiedenmayeri

Size: The field guide reports Tubes 1 to 3 in. (2.5 to 7 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Brown tubes rise in clusters from a base that fills crevices. Color and clustered construction are useful first clues.

Brown Encrusting Octopus Sponge

Ectyoplasia ferox

Size: The field guide reports 6 to 16 in. (15 to 40 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Growth form varies; specialists combine color, consistency and microscopic spicules rather than relying on an octopus-like outline.

Giant Barrel Sponge

Xestospongia muta

Size: The field guide reports 2 to 6 ft. (60 cm to 1.8 m). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A large brown barrel with a central cavity. The outer surface may be fairly even or carry irregular finger-like, pointed or plate-like projections.

Lumpy Overgrowing Sponge

Desmapsamma anchorata

Size: The field guide reports 4 to 16 in. (10 to 40 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A pale pink mass, sometimes branched, with scattered openings commonly raised on little mounds. Pale outer skin contrasts with orange internal tissue.

Pink Lumpy Sponge

Monanchora arbuscula

Size: The field guide reports 4 to 16 in. (10 to 40 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

Scarlet crusts or bushy growths may show white-rimmed openings and star-like channel patterns. Those patterns can be faint or absent.

Pink Purple Octopus Sponge

Callyspongia (Callyspongia) fallax

Size: A species-specific measured size range was not established in the recovered evidence.

Low clusters of pinkish or bluish tubes are typical, but the sponge can also form a thick crust or a mass with raised openings.

Red Boring Sponge

Cliothosa delitrix

Size: The field guide reports 6 to 12 in. (15 to 30 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A red-orange excavating sponge appearing as separate papillae or a more continuous crust. The internal galleries are inside the hard substrate.

Cushion Sea Star

Oreaster reticulatus

Size: Usually about 20–35 cm across; large animals may approach 50 cm arm-tip span.

A broad, raised central disc and five thick, tapering arms give this sea star its cushioned appearance.

PROTECTED: recreational harvest prohibited in Florida

Florida Sea Cucumber

Holothuria floridana

Size: Often7–20 cm relaxed body length; flexible body contracts and larger specimens occur.

Soft tan-and-brown blotched cylinder with small papillae; similar species and hybrids require caution.

Long-spined Sea Urchin

Diadema antillarum

Size: Test can approach 10 cm diameter; the long spines greatly increase total span.

Extremely long, slender spines radiate from a relatively small rounded body.

PROTECTED: recreational harvest prohibited in Florida

Nine-armed Sea Star

Luidia senegalensis

Size: Adult arms commonly12.5–15 cm long; this is not total tip-to-tip diameter.

Usually nine long slender gray arms with pale margins around a small disc.

Reef Urchin

Echinometra viridis

Size: Field-guide size approximately2–8 cm; distinguish test from total spiny span.

Small dark reef urchin with pale rings at spine bases and darker tips.

Royal sea star

Astropecten articulatus

Size: No reliable whole-animal maximum established in this review; size filter left unassigned.

Five tapering arms, a flattened body and a conspicuous border of plates and spines give the characteristic outline.

Slate Pencil Urchin

Eucidaris tribuloides

Size: The local identification guide lists 1 to 2 in. (2 to 5 cm). Its measurement axis and life-stage basis are not stated, so this is a guide value rather than a verified maximum, test diameter, arm span or harvest size.

The Gulf survey describes a round test and stout primary spines bearing rounded wartlike projections and crown-shaped tips. Colour can be uniform or banded. Spine length varies; some banded specimens had spines longer than the test diameter.

Three-Rowed Sea Cucumber

Isostichopus badionotus

Size: The local identification guide lists 10 to 16 in. (25 to 40 cm). Its measurement axis and life-stage basis are not stated, so this is a guide value rather than a verified maximum, test diameter, arm span or harvest size.

The 2024 revision describes a firm, loaf-shaped body, wartlike dorsal papillae, a stout lateral fringe, twenty shield-shaped tentacles and three longitudinal rows of ventral tube feet. Colour varies from spotted or reticulated to uniform and black-and-yellow forms; spots alone are not diagnostic.

Two-spined sea star

Astropecten duplicatus

Size: The local identification guide lists 5 to 8 in. (12 to 20 cm). Its measurement axis and life-stage basis are not stated, so this is a guide value rather than a verified maximum, test diameter, arm span or harvest size.

A five-armed sea star with tapering arms. The two upper marginal plates in each space between the arms bear a stout spine near the inner edge; neighboring plates may also bear one. Spines can be worn.

Variegated Sea Urchin

Lytechinus variegatus

Size: Adults around9 cm across including spines in Smithsonian Florida Keys account.

Short-spined variable-colored urchin often carrying shells or seagrass.

West Indian Sea Egg

Tripneustes ventricosus

Size: Adult test about11 cm(4.3 in) diameter in Smithsonian account; spines add span.

Large rounded brown urchin with a dense covering of short white spines.

Rock-boring Urchin

Echinometra lucunter

Oval test with short pointed spines, often tightly sheltered within a rock crevice.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Atlantic horseshoe crab

Limulus polyphemus

Size: No reliable whole-animal maximum established in this review; size filter left unassigned.

A broad, rounded front shield, smaller spiny rear shield and long pointed tail make a distinctive outline.

Bearded fireworm

Hermodice carunculata

Size: Reported upper size 25 cm; measurement basis is described in the profile, not a typical local size.

Look for a stout segmented worm bordered by conspicuous white bristle bundles, reddish branched gills and a folded, beard-like structure behind the head.

Black-Spotted Feather Duster

Branchiomma nigromaculatum

Size: The field guide reports 0.75 to 1 in. (1.8 to 2.5 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A feather-duster worm whose species diagnosis uses tiny projections on the crown branches and microscopic hooks. Longer crown projections are about twice the length of neighboring projections.

Cannonball Jelly

Stomolophus meleagris

Size: The Georgia biology account reports bell diameter up to 25 cm; this is not a tentacle or total-body measurement.

A firm rounded jellyfish with a hemispherical bell, often pale with a brown edge. Long trailing tentacles are absent.

Collared sand anemone

Actinostella flosculifera

Size: No reliable whole-animal maximum established in this review; size filter left unassigned.

A conspicuous frilly collar surrounds the central disc and its tentacles.

Giant Tunicate

Polycarpa spongiabilis

Size: The field guide reports 3 to 4 in. (8 to 10 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

The Bocas del Toro identification account describes a large usually brown tunicate with conspicuous open siphons.

Hydroid Zoanthid

Hydrozoanthus tunicans

Size: A numerical size range is withheld because the cited field guide gives inconsistent imperial and metric values. No silent conversion or replacement with a different measurement axis is made.

A small zoantharian associated with hydroids; the host and attached polyps are different animals.

Magnificent Feather Duster

Sabellastarte magnifica

Size: The exposed crown may approach 10 cm across; the worm’s body remains inside its tube.

A broad double crown of fine, feathery radioles emerges from a flexible tube.

Restricted marine life: live collection only; Blue Heron Bridge closed

Mangrove upside-down jellyfish

Cassiopea xamachana

Size: No reliable whole-animal maximum established in this review; size filter left unassigned.

The bell rests against the bottom while the branching oral arms face upward.

Orange Ball Corallimorph

Pseudocorynactis caribbeorum

Size: The field guide reports 1 to 2 in. (2.5 to 5 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

An anemone-like corallimorph with conspicuous spherical tentacle tips. It has no hard coral skeleton.

Split-Crown Feather Duster

Anamobaea orstedii

Size: The field guide reports 1 to 2 in. (2 to 5 cm). Its measurement axis and sampling scope are not specified, so this is not presented as a verified maximum or life-stage range.

A large colorful radiolar crown is conspicuous, but species identification depends on less visible structures near the crown base.

Variegated Feather Duster

Bispira melanostigma

Size: The local identification guide lists 0.75 to 1.5 in. (1.8 to 3.8 cm). Its measurement axis and life-stage basis are not stated, so this is a guide value rather than a verified maximum, test diameter, arm span or harvest size.

Dean’s treatment of a Costa Rican specimen describes a thorax approximately as broad as long and paired eyespots on the crown filaments, or radioles. Crown colour alone does not confirm the species.

Giant Caribbean Anemone

Condylactis gigantea

Long tapered tentacles with variable colored tips surround a central mouth; Florida harvest is prohibited.

Protected: no recreational harvest; observe without handling or disturbance.

Christmas Tree Worm

Spirobranchus giganteus

Paired spiral feeding crowns emerge from a hard tube; most of the worm remains concealed.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Atlantic Calico Scallop

Argopecten gibbus

A rounded ribbed shell with small hinge ears and variable calico markings; an offshore-bottom scallop.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Northern Quahog

Mercenaria mercenaria

A thick hard-clam shell with concentric growth sculpture; shell traits can overlap with southern quahogs and hybrids.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Southern Quahog

Mercenaria campechiensis

A heavy hard-clam shell with pronounced concentric ridges; hybrids can prevent confident shell-only identification.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Eastern Oyster

Crassostrea virginica

Irregular layered shell attached to firm surfaces; lower valve usually more cupped than the upper.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Sunray Venus

Macrocallista nimbosa

Elongated oval clam with a smooth glossy shell and darker radiating color bands.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Variable Coquina

Donax variabilis

Small wedge-shaped swash-zone clam with variable colors; shell structure matters more than color.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Stiff Pen Shell

Atrina rigida

Large triangular shell with raised ribs and spiny projections, often partly buried in sediment.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Flat Tree Oyster

Isognomon alatus

Thin layered shell with a long straight hinge; attaches using byssal fibers.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

West Indian Fuzzy Chiton

Acanthopleura granulata

Eight overlapping plates and a broad girdle form a low armored outline; plate count alone does not confirm species.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Tiger Lucine

Codakia orbicularis

Rounded pale clam with fine crossing shell sculpture and a heart-shaped depression near the hinge.

Verify current species, gear, area and jurisdiction rules. Identification is not harvest permission or food-safety clearance.

Benjamin Hadfield — The High-Pressure Tide King

Stuartscubia tridentis

Size: Large (parody scale) · Color: Red · Habitat: ALL.

Benjamin Hadfield is Stuart Scuba co-owner and technical instructor trainer who enjoys technical diving. In this parody, he patrols the deep with a red tail, a gold trident and enough clipped-on tech gear to make the fish ask whether they are cleared to dive.

Fictional staff parody; not real biology or harvest advice.

Nikki Hadfield — Architect of the Azure Court

Stuartscubia architecta

Size: Large (parody scale) · Color: Red · Habitat: ALL.

Long dark hair, a coral crown and rolled plans mark this fictional mermaid; the reef court has been checked for square corners.

Fictional staff parody; not real biology or harvest advice.

Matt Siegel — The Shorebound Gear Baron

Stuartscubia siccator

Size: Large (parody scale) · Color: Red · Habitat: ALL.

Matt keeps the Stuart Scuba gear counter, schedules and logistics in order from dry land; the red tail is here mostly for the classification.

Fictional staff parody; not real biology or harvest advice.

MJ Schatz — Siren of the Lionfish Ledger