Acantharchus pomotis

Mud sunfish, are relatively rare in Florida. This secretive fish prefers quiet, weedy waters and is rarely seen. They are docile and inactive in aquaria. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Atlantic sturgeon, large ancient fish once harvested extensively for caviar. They are of special concern due to past harvest pressure and impacts on their spawning runs. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Alosa alabamae

Alabama shad, found in some Gulf Rivers, related to the American shad. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Alosa chrysochloris

Skipjack herring, a native fish occasionally taken by anglers using artificial baits. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ambloplites ariommus

Shadow bass, are actually not "bass" despite their common name and are sometimes taken by anglers in NW Florida streams. Sometimes confused with warmouth. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ameiurus brunneus

Snail bullhead are relatively rare in Florida. The Apalachicola population is threatened by predatory flathead catfish and a small population also occurs in the Oklawaha River . Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ameiurus catus

White catfish, a fairly common native fish taken by anglers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ameiurus natalis

Yellow bullhead, they are among the more common Florida bullheads taken by anglers, note the light colored barbels. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ameiurus nebulosus

Brown bullhead, perhaps the most common Florida bullhead taken by anglers, note the dark barbels. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ameiurus serracanthus

Spotted bullhead a less frequently seen bullhead that is threatened by flathead catfish in the Apalachicola River. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Amia calva

Bowfin or mudfish are often accidentally caught by anglers. They have sharp teeth and a unique appearance being from one of the most ancient fish families, but they are native. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Anguilla rostrata

American eel, a very interesting fish that spawns in the ocean and matures in freshwater. It goes through several phases from leptocephali, to elver, to pencil eel, to brown/yellow eel (shown here) to silver eel. They lack pelvic fins and have tiny embedded scales. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Aphredoderus sayanus

Pirate perch, its claim to fame is the vent (anus) is located near its throat. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Astronotus ocellatus

Oscar, an illegally introduced exotic from South America, now established in south Florida and taken by anglers. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Belonesox belizanus

Pike killifish, a small exotic livebearer from Central America, illegally established in south Florida after being released by medical researchers. Photo by: Randy Metzger.

Carpiodes cyprinus

Quillback, a native sucker resembling a common carp that is found in large rivers of NW Florida. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Carpiodes velifer

Highfin carpsucker, a native bottom feeder as evidenced by the sucker-like mouth Found in large rivers of NW Florida. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Centrarchus macropterus

Flier, one of the rarer panfish taken by anglers, the symmetrical dorsal and anal fins are different than other bream, and more like crappie. They are swamp loving fish that prefer acidic waters. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Chaenobryttus gulosus

Warmouth, so called because of a slightly larger mouth than most bream and the warpaint-like stripes on the face. They prefer acidic waters found in swamps and small streams. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Channa marulius

Bullseye snakehead, an illegally introduced exotic from Asia is now established in south Florida. In other areas of the world it is recognized as a food and sportfish. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichlasoma citrinellum

Midas cichlid, note the numerous color morphs in this illegally introduced exotic from South/Central America, which is now found in southeast Florida. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum

Rio Grande cichlids, since these illegally introduced cichlids occur naturally in the Rio Grande River of Texas they are technically referred to as transplants rather than exotics. Previously abundant in Tampa Bypass Canal, they seem to have nearly disappeared. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichlasoma managuense

Jaguar guapote are illegally introduced exotics from Central America and now established in southeast Florida. They are caught by anglers and used as food in their native range. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichlasoma meeki

Firemouth cichlid, are illegally introduced exotics from Central America like many other exotic fishes that are now established in Florida. They were imported for the aquarium industry because of their attractive coloration. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum

Convict cichlids were illegally introduced but subsequently eliminated from a University of Florida pond.  They are exotics from Central America. Males, as in this picture, have a striped pattern, and females may be a pale opalescent color without markings. Photo used with permission of Wiljo Jonsson.

Cichla ocellaris

Butterfly peacock are the only established non-native fishes in Florida that were legally stocked by the FWC. They provide a tremendous urban fishery in the canals of southeast Florida, are limited in their range by inability to handle cool water and help control other non-native fishes. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichlasoma octofasciatum

Jack Dempsey are illegally introduced exotics named for the famous boxer because of their aggressive behavior in aquaria. Occasionally collected but no permanent populations in Florida. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichlasoma salvini

Yellowbelly cichlid are yet another illegally introduced aquarium introduction that is reproducing in southeast Florida. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichla temensis

Speckled peacock were introduced by FWC as a larger trophy fish but failed to become established. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cichlasoma uropthalmus

Mayan cichlid, an illegally introduced exotic from Central America. are now established in south Florida, it will take a jig. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Clarias batrachus

Walking catfish, this illegally introduced notorious air breathing southeast Asian fish is able to move overland for short distances during heavy rains, but has not created the havoc that some pundits originally expected. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Colossoma nigripinnis

Blackfin pacu look like large piranha but actually have flattened molar-like teeth with which they eat fruits.

Ctenopharyngodon idella

Triploid grass carp are created by applying hydrostatic pressure to fertilized eggs, so that the fish will be sterile. They are used for aquatic plant management in Florida. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Cyprinus carpio

Common carp were one of the most common food fishes in Europe in the days of the pioneers and were widely stocked in the US. Photo by: Michael Hill.

Cyprinodon variegatus hubbsi

Lake Eustis pupfish are a subspecies of sheepshead minnow--one of the toughest fish in the world in terms of the range of habitats they can survive. They are a species of special concern and occur only in six central Florida lakes. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Cyprinella venusta

Blacktail shiners are relatively large for shiners with a single dorsal fin typical of a shiner and a distinct black mark on the caudal peduncle. They prefer streams, where anglers sometimes catch them and call them river roaches. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Dorosoma cepedianum

Gizzard shad have the typical serrated abdomen of shads and are termed a rough fish by many, since they grow too large for many predators and have no food value for people. Obviously, however, nature has a place for them in most Florida lakes. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Dorosoma petenense

Threadfin shad are smaller than gizzard shad and schools of them provide important forage for bass. They are sometimes stocked for this purpose. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Elassoma evergladei

Everglades pygmy sunfish range all the way up to North Carolina and prefer dense aquatic vegetation and soft bottoms in sluggish water. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Elassoma okefenokee

Okefenokee sunfish as you might expect enjoy heavily vegetated, mud bottomed habitats in slow moving water. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Elassoma zonatum

Banded pygmy sunfish are larger than its cousins and like the other Elassoma's lack a lateral line. This species does not build nests like bream, but scatters their eggs on the substrate all make good aquaria fish. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Electrophorus electricus

Electric eels actually grow to very large sizes (over 8 feet long) in the Amazon and can generate 500 volts. They are illegal in Florida and have been confiscated from facilities but have never been found in the wild in Florida. Prohibited in Florida. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Enneacanthus chaetodon

Blackbanded sunfish belong to the same family as bass and bream but their small size (less than 4 inches) prevent them from having a recreational use. They are among the rarest and most attractive sunfish residing in acidic waters with dense vegetation. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Enneacanthus gloriosus

Bluespotted sunfish are some of the prettiest of native fishes that are larger than the darters and shiners, and are often sought for native freshwater aquaria. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Enneacanthus obesus

Banded sunfish are found in the northern half of the state, typically in heavily vegetated areas. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ericymba buccata

Silverjaw minnows inhabit the riffles of small to medium rivers for the most part and are readily identified by the pock marks or translucent caverns on the lower sides of their heads. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Erimyzon sucetta

Lake chubsuckers have a protractible, sucker-like mouth without teeth, and no spines in their fins. They are the most widely distributed suckers in Florida and prefer calm waters, unlike other suckers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Erimyzon tenuis

Sharpfin sucker, a less common variety of sucker found in small streams of western Florida, which seldom venture into big rivers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma colorosum

Coastal darter are quite common in small panhandle creeks. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma davisoni

Choctawhatchee darters occupy panhandle streams from small creeks up to large rivers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma edwini

Brown darter, darters are tiny fishes, but there are tons of different species--enough to drive an ichthyologist nuts (or delight him/her if they're already crazy). Brown darters are rather common and prefer creeks with vegetation. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma fusiforme

Swamp darter, this photo shows the typical resting pose of darters as they wait for prey (insect larvae and zooplankton) to swim by. Found in quiet swamp waters, whereas most darters prefer flowing water. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma histrio

Harlequin darter, named for it's colorful appearance, which reminded someone of a clown. They are a species of special concern because of their limited range. They are found in crevices in snags located in swift currents of the Escambia River, or on open sand and gravel substrates. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma okaloosae

Okaloosa darter are considered endangered by both the state and Federal government. Their distribution is limited to small streams flowing into Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa County. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma olmstedi

Southern tessellated darter are a species of special concern in Florida, because they are limited to the Oklawaha River drainage. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma parvipinne

Goldstripe darter. This small darter is relatively rare in Florida, and prefers quite streams, including ravine creeks, of the panhandle. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma proeliare

Cypress darter. In Florida, they are found only in backwaters of the Escambia River. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma stigmaeum

Speckled darter. Males are resplendent during breeding season but are relatively uncommon, being found in various creeks and rivers of the panhandle. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Etheostoma swaini

Gulf darter occur only in streams of the northwestern section of the state. The males are attractively colored during breeding season. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Esox americanus

Redfin pickerel are from the same family as muskies and pike. Since they rarely exceed a foot in length, they aren't terribly popular sportfish, in spite of their scrappiness. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Esox niger

Chain pickerel go to 8 pounds in Florida and are a good fighting and eating fish, but with many bones. Unfortunately, they are often viewed by the public as an undesirable competitor to bass. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Fundulus chrysotus

Golden topminnow a beautiful little egg layer that feeds near the surface, hence the group name of topminnow. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Fundulus cingulatus

Banded topminnow, another nice fish for a native freshwater aquaria. Typically found in shallow standing waters with mud bottoms and dense vegetation. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Fundulus escambiae

Eastern starhead minnow or Russetfin topminnow (per Dr. Scott Mettee et al.); there are even more species of Fundulus or topminnows than darters in Florida's fresh waters. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Fundulus jenkinsi

Saltmarsh topminnow are a species of special concern in Florida found most commonly in Spartina marshes associated with estuaries of northwest Florida. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Fundulus lineolatus

Lined topminnow, occur from the Ochlockonee River system down through Lake Okeechobee. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Fundulus olivaceus

Blackspotted topminnow prefer shallow shoreline areas of streams and backwaters. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Fundulus rubifrons

Redface topminnow are closely related to the banded topminnow. The latter occur in the panhandle while the redface occupies the peninsula. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Fundulus seminolis

Seminole killifish are one of the most common topminnows found in peninsular Florida. Photo courtesy of: North American Native Fish Association.

Gambusia holbrooki

Mosquitofish are found throughout Florida. Although stocked as a mosquito control agent (they eat the larvae of mosquitoes before they metamorphose into the flying form) their impact is questionable. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Geophagus surinamensis

Redstriped eartheater, an exotic fish brought in by the aquarium trade. It is often observed, as in this photo, sifting through bottom sediments looking for food. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Hemichromis bimaculatus

African Jewelfish are popular aquaria fish but illegal releases have resulted in their becoming established in south Florida. Photo courtesy of: Wiljo Jonsson.

Heterandria formosa

Least killifish are close relatives of the topminnows and at one time were considered the smallest fish in the world. They make good aquarium fish and in nature prefer shallow, heavily vegetated areas. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Hoplosternum littorale

Brown hoplo have very distinctive plate-like armor. They are caught with cast nets and sought as an ethnic food. Photo courtesy of: Pug Roberts.

Hoplias malabaricus

Trahira or tiger fish have a nasty looking set of teeth. Fortunately, the only known reproducing population of this prohibited species in Florida has been eliminated. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Hybognathus hayi

Cypress minnow are rare and in Florida are only found in backwaters of the Escambia River system. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Hybopsis new species

As yet undescribed this species was formerly called speckled chub and is now referred to as the Florida chub. Some taxonomists are now placing it in the genus Macryhybobsis. It can be distinguished from all other minnows by the four barbels (one pair on each corner of the mouth). Photo by: Gray Bass.

Hybopsis new species (2)

Formerly known as clear chub. These fishes are currently being reevaluated by taxonomists to properly determine their relationships to one another and the groupers/splitters are having a field day. They inhabit streams of northwestern Florida. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Hypostomus sp.

Suckermouth catfish (aka Hypostomus, or plecostomus in the aquaria industry), these are popular fish among aquarists because they scrape the algae off the glass. Photo by: Paul Shafland.

Ichthyomyzon gagei

Southern brook lamprey, a small native lamprey. It is not parasitic and prefers small, sand-bottomed streams of the panhandle. This is an unusual fish that is rarely seen. Its first three years are spent as an ammocetes larvae. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ictalurus furcatus

Blue catfish are large (they can exceed 100 pounds) predatory catfish found recently in Florida's panhandle rivers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Ictalurus punctatus

Channel catfish are the mainstay of the catfish farming industry and a principal species taken by commercial freshwater fishermen and recreational bank anglers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Jordanella floridae

Flagfish, another native beauty sought after for aquaria. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Labidesthes sicculus

Brook silverside a widespread and important forage fish for bass and other predators. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepomis auritus

Redbreast sunfish, notice the very long operculum (earflap), which is even longer than on a longear sunfish, is entirely black with no lighter margin (longear sunfish have a light margin). The reddish breast is most distinctive during spring spawning season. They are popular sportfish in rivers east of the Apalachicola and have been introduced into the Blackwater and Yellow Rivers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepomis cyanellus

Green sunfish, considered to be an introduced species that is not common in Florida, but occasionally appears in scientific samples of panhandle streams. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill, so called because of the dark mark on the gill cover, the small dark blotch at the back of the dorsal fin is an even more reliable identifier. Bluegill are the species most people think of when you say bream or panfish and are very popular sportfish. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepomis marginatus

Dollar sunfish received their name from their small size and are one of the few Lepomis not targeted by anglers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepomis megalotis

Longear sunfish reside mostly in rivers of the panhandle ranging as far east as the Choctawhatchee. Like redbreast they have a long, prominent, dark earflap, but their earflap has a light edge around it. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepomis microlophus

Redear sunfish are readily identified by the consistent red mark at the edge of the gill cover. They are among the larger bream and are frequently called shellcracker because they feed chiefly on mollusks (shellfish). Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepisosteus oculatus

Spotted gar are nearly identical to Florida gar but in Florida are found only in the panhandle. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Leptolucania ommata

Pygmy killifish. These little fish prefer to live in quiet waters with heavy vegetation. They can be collected for aquaria in small-meshed dip nets. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepisosteus osseus

Longnose gar have a snout that is twice as long as the rest of the head, which distinguishes it from the other gar. These are ancient fishes having survived since they days of the dinosaur virtually unchanged. They may enter brackish water and when skinned out with a hatchet are good to eat. However, the eggs of all gar are toxic and should not be consumed. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepisosteus platyrhincus

Florida gar have dark spots on top of the head (longnose and alligator gar do not), they are very similar to spotted gar, but occur in the peninsular area of Florida. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lepomis punctatus

Spotted sunfish also known locally as stumpknockers are thick bodied bream that are frequently found around cypress trees or fallen logs. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lucania goodei

Bluefin killifish, the iridescent blue edge to the dorsal fin is a give away. They are found most commonly in springs with some vegetation. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Luxilus chrysocephalus isolepis

Striped shiners were apparently introduced into Florida and occur only in the Escambia River. They are relatively large shiners that prefer small- to medium-sized creeks and not rivers. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Luxilus zonistius

Bandfin shiner are found only in a few small creeks that enter the Apalachicola River. Photo by: Gray Bass.

Lythrurus atrapiculus

Blacktip shiner are attractive minnows that inhabit small, sand-bottomed creeks primarily in the Yellow and Choctawhatchee river drainages. Photo by: Gray Bass.