Florida Reef Fish Species

Almost 1 400 species of marine plants and animals including more than 40 species of stony corals and 500 species of fish live on the florida reef.

Florida reef fish species. Researchers monitor these populations to provide data that aids effective management of the fisheries. Just beneath the twinkling satin surface of the caribbean you find schools of fish of a thousand different shapes and colors the surprising variety of finned friends is one of the reasons people get hooked on scuba diving. These animals depend on healthy coral reef seagrass mangrove and other habitats throughout their lives and are vulnerable to exploitation climate change habitat degradation and variable water quality. With miles and miles of coral reefs and proximity to the gulf stream the fishing opportunities are endless.

Several dozen finfish species including snapper grouper and triggerfish are collectively termed reef fish. Reef fish florida saltwater fishing h spearing prohibited must remain in whole condition removal of gills and guts allowed. General information learn about the biology ecology stock abundance and management of florida s reef fish species. U measured as total length.

The florida keys region supports a broad diversity of tropical and subtropical fish and shellfish species. Total length is the straight line distance from the most forward part of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together while the fish is lying on its side. This includes ones important to fishing like spiny lobster snapper and grouper. The florida reef lies close to the northern limit for tropical corals but the species diversity on the reef is comparable to that of reef systems in the caribbean sea.

Florida is the only state in the continental united states with extensive shallow coral reef formations near its coasts. Coral reefs create specialized habitats that provide shelter food and breeding sites for numerous plants and animals. Back to the fish species directory index. If you are not a gulf reef fish angler and don t plan on fishing for these reef species in the gulf this year please do not sign up or renew your participation in the gulf reef fish survey.

A few reef fish are downright menacing such as the various types of scorpionfishes and morays of which only the species most commonly caught by anglers are included here. Popular with anglers looking for reef fishing charters in florida keys captain michael sisto and jersey key charters invite you to spend an exciting day fishing the waters around the florida keys. To identify some of the most common and interesting reef fish in the caribbean florida and the western atlantic look for their distinctive characteristics. By only sampling anglers who plan on fishing for those species florida is improving recreational data collection.