Boney Fish


Moray eel (Gymnothorax saxicola)
F-2200 OCELLATED MORAY EEL, Gymnothorax saxicola
A beautiful animal with speckled yellow and black body, and a dorsal fin that runs the length of the body. Colorful and docile in the aquarium, but should be handled with care.
Size: 20-35 cm.
Each: $56.50
F-2210 SHRIMP EEL, Ophichthys gomesei
12 inches to 24 inches, has sharp teeth and also will not hesitate to use them. This eel lives on sandy bottoms and is occasionally caught in shrimp nets.
Each: $25.50
F-2215 LIZARDFISH, Synodus foetens
This is a primitive, elongated fish with a wicked set of teeth. They are a benthic, ambush predator which means they are usually seen buried under the sand waiting for their prey. Can be 3 inches to 9 inches.
Each: $25.50
F-2240 MARSH KILLIFISH, Fundulus heterochelis, F. grandis, and F. similis, (species supplied as available)
They are seined from the tidal, marshy creeks immediately prior to shipment. Killifish are classical tools for demonstrating osmotic regulation, color changes, feeding, and teleost embryology. They feed greedily on mosquito larvae, copepods, etc. Size: 3-6 cm. and larger.
Each: $11.50
Dozen: $67.50
Per 100: $281.00

Sheepshead Killifish
F-2250 SHEEPSHEAD KILLIFISH, Cyprinodon variegatus
Can tolerate higher standard marine aquarium, feeding aggressively on anything you throw in. The males display red, blue and yellow mating colors and exhibit elaborate mating displays. Easily spawned and reared in the laboratory, Cyprinodon has been adopted as a standard laboratory test organism in water quality/pollution control testing.Size: 2-5 cm.
Each: $13.00
Dozen: $67.50
Per 100: $281.00
F-2260 SAILFIN MOLLY, Poecilia latipinna
A practically indestructible fish that can survive droughts, freezing, and crowding by the thousands into evaporating puddles where they are fed upon by herons, egrets, etc. Still, they are one of the most abundant creatures in the marsh. Sailfin mollies readily give birth to live young, and several generations can be easily raised in the aquarium. Males have large beautiful fins during the breeding season. Size: 2-5 cm.
Each: $13.00
Males: $17.00
Dozen: $67.50
Per 100: $281.00

Chain Pipefish (Syngnathus louisianae)
F-2270 CHAIN PIPEFISH, Syngnathus louisianae, and other species
Also used for regeneration studies and osmotic regulation of body fluids. Size: 5-18 cm.
Each: $20.50
F-2280 LONG SNOUT SEA HORSE, Hippocampus erectus
Everyone loves sea horses. They feed actively on grass shrimp (Ar-1360) and amphipods. Males are “pregnant” late spring through fall.
Each: $31.50
Pregnant male: $37.50

Remora (Echeneis naucrates)
F-2281 REMORA, Echeneis naucrates
Otherwise known as the “sharksucker” hitches a ride on sharks and sea turtles with its dorsal fin modified into a suction device. They are responsive, intelligent fish, excellent for the large aquarium. The pad on its head is used for attaching itself to other things, including other fish. It’s actually a heavily modified dorsal fin that has moved forward. Size: 7-24 cm.
Each: $25.50

A cobia (Rachycentron canadum)
F-2285 COBIA, Rachycentron canadum
An abundant and popular game fish with a depressed head with the lower jaw projecting out. Large, stiff pectoral fins and a stiff, spineless, short dorsal fin. Small, embedded scales. Black in color with a black lateral band bordered by white. Juveniles resemble remoras in color and shape.
Each: $96.50
F-2286 GAG GROUPER, Mycteroperca microlepis
Very common to see in our area, but usually found offshore on hard bottoms. Caudal emarginate. Preopercle with a deep notch. Anterior and posterior nostrils subequal in size. Olive, mottled with darker olive spots. Soft dorsal, caudal, and anal edged with blue-black, with narrow white margins. Small scales.
Each: $53.50
F-2287 RED GROUPER, Epinephelus morio
Common along the west coast of Florida in moderate or deep water on hard bottoms. Caudal fin is emarginate or truncate. The spinous dorsal fin is high, especially the second spine. Reddish brown in color with a few pale blotches or spots, some indication of banding. Scattered black spots sometimes around eyes and on head. No caudal saddle.
Each: $53.50
F-2440 HOGFISH, Lachnolaimus maximus
Compressed deep body with the first three dorsal spines being very long, even in juveniles. Caudal lunate in adults. Soft dorsal and anal fins with long, pointed lobes. Usually a small black spot below the last few dorsal rays. Caudal fin with dark bars or fused spots. Body brownish, red, or silvery, usually with vague bars or mottling.
Each: $100.00
F-2485 ATLANTIC BUMPER, Chloroscombrus chrysurus
A very common little jack in shallow to moderately deep high salinity water. Larger species found offshore. Strong anal spines with an unarmored lateral line. Ventral profile very strongly curved compared to a nearly straight dorsal profile. Mouth very oblique. Silvery body with yellow fins. A small opercular spot and a spot on the caudal peduncle. Size: juvelines
Each: $21.50

Juvenile Bluntnose Jack at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab.
F-2487 BLUNTNOSE JACK, Hemicaranx amblyrhynchus
An uncommon and poorly known fish, said to be associated with jellyfish and floating debris. Outer jaw teeth not enlarged, caudal base without dermal keels, maxillary not expanded posteriorly. Anterior part of lateral line very high, almost semicircular. Scutes weak, about 50. Fins low with undeveloped lobes. Brownish blue above, silvery below. Size: generally juveniles under 6-8 in.
Each: $21.50
F-2541 SCRAWLED FILEFISH, Aluterus scriptus
Adults are found offshore and juveniles are most commonly found with floating Sargassum. Body is relatively elongate, slender, with a poorly developed pelvic flap; pelvic spine absent. Long snout, concave above, its tip only slightly below eye level. Pale olive brown, mottled with darker, especially along dorsal and ventral profiles; numerous blue, green, and black spots and lines.
Each: $19.50
F-2542 ORANGE FILEFISH, Aluterus schoepfi
Adults are found in relatively deep waters, while juveniles can be found inshore with or around Sargassum. Relatively deep-bodied, with the snout oblique and short, terminating well below the eye. Whitish anteriorly with grayish mottling and blotches. Many orange spots over the body.
Each: $53.50
F-2563 LANE SNAPPER, Lutjanus synagris
A common, smaller, colorful snapper found on shallow, usually hard, bottoms. Reddish pink, with eight horizontal narrow yellow lines on the sides.
Each: $27.00
F-2564 MANGROVE SNAPPER, Lutjanus griseus
A common fish in both inshore and over deeper hard bottoms. A rounded anal fin with larger upper canines.
Each: $27.00

Southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus) at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium.
F-2565 SOUTHERN KINGFISH, Menticirrhus americanus
Common in bays and moderately deep water, this fish has a spinous dorsal fin with a third dorsal spine being shorter than the others.
Each: $21.50

A white grunt (Haemulon plumierii) at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab.
F-2566 WHITE GRUNT, Haemulon plumierii
Large mouth and jaws with red coloration inside. Larger scales above the lateral line and smaller scales below. Silver in color with blue and yellow stripes; body usually without distinct stripes or with narrow yellow stripes.
Each: $27.00
F-2567 SILVER PERCH, Bairdiella chrysoura
Large mouthed fish with a moderately deep body. The snout is separated from the nape profile by a distinct depression. Truncate caudal fin with high dorsal fins. No barbels. Uniformly silver with dusky fins. Commonly found inshore and in bays. Size: 6-12 in.
Each: $21.50
F-2568 BLACK DRUM, Pogonias cromis
Silvery, with four or five dark vertical bars in the young; often with strong bronzy highlights. Truncate caudal fin. Lower jaws with numerous long barbels. Second anal spine greatly enlarged. Common in shallow bays and moderately deep water.
Each: $80.50
F-2488 RED DRUM, Sciaenops ocellata
A common sports fish. Adults are generally bronzy with vague horizontal stripes and a large dot towards the upper part of the caudal peduncle. Young usually with numerous large dark blotches. No barbels on the chin. The young are sometimes common in bays.
Each: $53.50
F-2569 SPECKLED SEA TROUT, Cynoscion nebulosus
A common and very popular sport and commercial fish. Soft dorsal and anal fins without scales. Silvery, greenish above, with many small round black spots above and on dorsal and caudal fins.
Each: $80.50
F-2486 PIGFISH, Orthopristis chrysoptera
A common fish in bays and usually shallow water. A sport fish to a minor extent. Bluish bronze with purple reflections in oblique rows below lateral line. Dusky fins, except the dorsal which is clear. Small mouth with a long snout.
Each: $14.50
F-2489 GRASS PORGY, Calamus arctifrons
A common species in grass beds along the shallow eastern Gulf from Louisiana to Florida. No enlarged canine teeth in upper jaw and relatively short pectoral fins. Silvery in color with brown bands. Size: 8 in.
Each: $21.50
F-2390 SHEEPSHEAD, Archosargus probatocephalus
A handsome black and white striped fish, common around wharf pilings and oyster bars. They have powerful jaws used to demolish shellfish and barnacles. Lives well in aquariums. Size: 5-15 cm.
Each: $25.50
F-2400 PINFISH, Lagodon rhomboides
3 inches to 6 inches, a very common aggressive fish available throughout the year. Hardy species that does well in aquariums.
Each: $14.00
F-2405 SPOT TAIL PINFISH, Diplodus holbrookii
Less common than the regular pinfish but still very common. Found in coastal grass beds. Size 6 to 12 cm
Each: $14.00

Atlantic spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber)
F-2410 ATLANTIC SPADEFISH, Chaetodipterus faber
Common to Florida and Caribbean water, schools of spadefish are frequently seen nibbling on jellyfish, hydroids, and feeding on small crabs and shrimp when the fish matures.
Each (small): $45.00
Each (large): $56.50

A scorpionfish (Scorpaena brasiliensis)
F-2420 SCORPION FISH, Scorpaena brasiliensis
Red, orange, and brown, they blend into the sea bottom, and ambush passing shrimp. Although bristling with poisonous spines, they are a popular aquarium specimen.
Each: $29.00
F-2430 SEA ROBIN, Prionotus scitulus, P. tribulus
Swims along the sand bottoms with its wing-like pectoral fins expanded. The modified ventral fins act like fingers, feeling the bottom for prey. Size: 6-12 cm.
Each: $25.50
F-2450 GREEN WRASSE, Halichoeres bivittatus

Green wrasse (Halichoeres bivittatus) at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea, FL.
Has beautiful green coloration. Will bury itself in the sand substrate to hide. Size 6-10cm.
Each: $17.50

Feather blennie (Hypsoblennius henzi)
F-2460 FLORIDA BLENNIE, Chasmodes saburrae and other species
A large group of
small, fish (2-4 inches), common along the shells of oyster bars. Also found on shallow flats and seagrass beds. Females lay hundreds of tiny golden colored eggs in empty shells, which the males aggressively guard. Size: 3-8 cm.
Each: $17.00

Belted sandfish (Serranus subligarius)
F-2470 BELTED SANDFISH, Serranus subligarius
The smallest of the Sea Basses they are 5 inches long at maximum, but mature at 2 inches. Common in warm Atlantic and Caribbean waters to depths of 60 feet. Found around rocky jetties and over sand flats. Their common name comes from the large white patch on their belly. Size: 3-6 cm.
Each: $31.50
F-2480 STRIPED MULLET, Mugil cephalus.
Often seen jumping out of the water, mullet are the cows of the fish world, and are the main food fish of the northern Gulf Coast. They browse along the bottom, feeding on algae and tiny creatures that live in mud.
Each: $22.50
F-2490 GULF/ SOUTHERN FLOUNDER, Paralichthys albigutta
Flounders belong to the group of fishes known as “flat fishes.” Their most unique feature is the placement of their eyes. As the young larvae develop, one eye migrates across the head toward the other. Depending on the species, flounders and other flatfishes are “right-eyed” or “left-eyed.” Lying flat on the sea bottom, flounders are masters of camouflage, changing their coloration to blend in with the substrate; hiding from predators or aggressively ambushing small fishes and crustaceans with their mighty tooth-studded jaws.
Each (small): $21.50
Each (large): $34.50
F-2491 FOUR SPOT FLOUNDER, Paralichthys oblongus
Unlike the common gulf flounders, these flatfishes have four large, dark and round spots on their bodies.
Each $22.50

Hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus)
F-2500 HOG CHOKER, Trinectes maculatus
This flatfish stays buried and looks like a baby flounder but seldom grows larger than six inches. Probably named from the days when hogs roamed the beaches and gobbled up fish as fast as seine fishermen dragged their catches up on the beaches. The scales, which make the fish stick to the deck, also could lodge in a hog’s throat. Very hardy and vigorous. Size: 6-12 cm.
Each: $22.50
F-2510 BLACK-CHEEKED TONGUEFISH, Symphurus plagiusa
Small, flat, left-eyed fishes that taper to a point — “tongue-shaped” — hence the name. They are bottom-dwelling fish, common in the muddy bottoms of bays and estuaries feeding on small crustaceans and polychaete worms. Size 6-12 cm.
Each: $20.00

Clingfish or skilletfish (Gobiesox strumosus)
F-2530 CLINGFISH/ SKILLET FISH, Gobiesox strumosus
Small fish shaped like a skillet; with a broad head and narrow body. The pelvic fins are actually a large, broad suction disc. Clingfish are usually found hiding in or on the shells around oyster bars and seagrass beds. Size: 4-6 cm.
Each: $24.50
F-2540 PLANEHEAD FILEFISH, Monacanthus hispidus
Their names come from their sandpapery skin, fishermen once used their hides to strike matches. Their dorsal spine has a trigger-like mechanism that makes it spring erect when they are threatened. Size: 4-8 cm.
Each (small): $13.00
Each (large): $17.00
F-2545 GREY TRIGGERFISH, Balistes capriscus

Grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium.
Known mostly for their sharp “triggered” dorsal spine, these territorial grey triggerfish are a sight to see both locally in the Gulf of Mexico and ranging throughout the western Atlantic Ocean.
Each $80.50
F-2550 COWFISH, Lactophrys tricornis
It has a fused armor giving it a hard-shelled, triangular un-fishlike body. Colorful blue, green and yellow fish with two prominent horns over its eyes.
Each: $25.50
F-2560 SOUTHERN PUFFER, Spheroides nephelus
A drab smooth-skinned fish that will inflate itself into a tight, buoyant, impregnable ball when handled. Size: 10-14 cm.
Each: $25.50

Hardhead sea catfish (Arius felis)
F-2561 SEA CATFISH, Arius felis
They are a sleek saltwater catfish that cleans up the bottom. Adult males carry and hatch the eggs in their mouths. Size 10-30 cm.
Each: $22.50
F-2562 BLACK SEA BASS, Centropristes striatus
It is a hardy intelligent aquarium pet. A group of them in a feeding frenzy will outdo a school of Piranhas. They are responsive and quick to recognize you at feeding time. Size 6-18 cm.
Each: $17.00
Over 18 cm: $25.50

A striped burrfish (Chilomycterus schoepfii)
F-2570 SPINY BOXFISH, Chilomycterus schoepfi
When handled, it gulps air and inflates itself into a floating impregnable ball, bristling with little spines. Then bobbing around upside down, using its tail as a rudder, it frantically spits out the air until it can overcome its buoyancy. The boxfish’s black and yellow stripes give the aquarium color, and their heavy, bone-crushing jaws can be used to demonstrate their specialized snail and crab feeding mechanism. Size: 8-16 cm.
Each: $25.50
F-2590 GULF TOADFISH, Opsanus beta
A smooth-skinned, bad-tempered fish that is commonly found in oyster bars. In the aquarium it will display its elaborate burrowing behavior by constructing a burrow under a rock or a piece of coral, carrying out pebbles and debris in its huge tooth-studded mouth. Then moving in tail first, it writhes to and fro until a burrow is wallowed out and only the toadfish’s head remains visible. Its peculiar mating call is known as the “boat whistle” and males fiercely guard their eggs until they hatch.
Each: $17.00
OUR “ASTRONAUT” TOADFISH HAVE CIRCLED THE GLOBE IN NASA’S SPACE SHUTTLE!
F-2595 LEOPARD TOADFISH, Opsanus pardus
This species is found further offshore than the oyster toadfish. It is found closely associated with rocky sponge and gorgonian bottom habitat. 10-16cm
Each: $53.50

Batfish (Ogcocephalus cubiformes)
F-2600 BATFISH, Ogcocephalus cubiformes
This bizarre, highly modified benthic fish has frog-like pectoral fins that enable it to walk on the bottom or swim in a cumbersome fashion. It has a lure emerging from its head which is thought to secrete a hormone. Feeds on small snails. Size: 12-18 cm.
Each: $25.50
F-2596 MIDSHIPMEN, Porichthys plectrodon
They share the same genus as toadfish. They mate through auditory communication signals. These fish also have unique light producing cells called photophores running up and down their sides that are used to attract prey. The gold dots are reminiscent of a midshipman’s naval uniform, hence the name.
Each: $22.50

Southern hake (Urophycis floridana)
F-2610 SOUTHERN HAKE, Urophycis floridana
Aggressive hunter, feeds on small fish, squid and shrimp that it locates with the help of two long feelers just below each gill cover. Their eggs contain droplets of oil so that they float on the surface of the water until they hatch. Size: 8-14 cm.
Each: $17.00
F-2611 HALF BEAK/ SPIPE FISH, Hyporhamphus unifasciatus
Very long lower jaw with a shallowly forked caudal fin. Common inshore and in shallow waters of high salinity. Sporadically available. Size: 8-12 in.
Each: $22.50
F-2612 SAND PERCH, Diplectrum formosum
These fish appear to have striking neon blue stripes underwater. They inhabit areas of sand, coral rubble and seagrass beds in North Carolina to coastal Florida and Gulf of Mexico and southern Caribbean (not in Bahamas and balance of Caribbean)
Each: $16.50