Description: the details most readily observed have been given top priority, since
the angler has only moments to decide whether a fish is or is not a legal catch,
Fin-ray counts are supplied when essential.
Similar Fish; many fish have "look-alikes," other fish that resemble them closely.
In such instances, the most readily seen differences are given.
Where Found: although the ocean has no fences, many fish are locked into
particular habitats, information that often tells the angler where to drop the hook.
Size: anglers usually judge the size of a fish by its weight, which simplifies
recordkeeping. Scientists use length, since age/length relationships are more
reliable than age/weight. Both would agree, however, that king mackerel
commonly exceed 20 pounds in weight. The Florida records quoted are from the
cooperative effort between the FWC and the International Game Fish Association.
Remarks: this includes the fish's life history (if known), behavior; and
feeding habits.
1 Total length
2 Fork length
3 Standard length
4 Head length
5 Snout length
6 Caudal peduncle (where the body attaches to the tc
7 Fin rays, spinous (unsegmented) and soft (segmented)
8 First (spinous) dorsal fin
9 Second (soft) dorsal fin
10 Pectoral fin
11 Pelvic (ventral) fin
12 Anal fin
13 Finlet
14 Caudal (tail) fin
15 Lateral fin
16 Scutes (bone-like projections)
17 Opercle (gill cover)
18 Preopercle (cheek)
19 Interopercle
20 Adipose eyelid
21 Supramaxilia (rear portion of upper jaw bone)
22 Premaxilla (forward portion of upper jaw bone)
Illustrations by: Diane Rome Peebles
re-published from Florida Fish and Wildlife Commisio, Division of Marine Fisheries. Fishing Lines Anglers Guide To Florida Resources
Click on the Picture to enlarge it
