Fresh and Brackish
Some of their features, such as their broad and flattened teeth at the front of their jaw and molar-like teeth, have been compared to a common mammal.
Sheepshead
This catfish is commonly found in shallow coastal waters around Galveston and gets its name from the sail-like dorsal fin it can raise when threatened.
Gafftopsail Catfish
This ruddy fish can be found among reefs
and oil rigs, and is known to support
Galveston's commercial fisheries.
Red Snapper
These common damselfish can often be found schooling around structures in great numbers and have a rather militaristic name.
Sergent Major
What fish species with both eyes on one side of their body become more active at night?
Southern Flounder
They have a prominent black spot behind their gill cover followed by a row of smaller spots. They commonly consume zooplankton and phytoplankton.
Gulf Menhaden
This small, silvery fish is commonly found in seen swimming swiftly along the shallow surf in schools.
Inland silverside
This top predator is the largest billfish in the world, known for its flexible pectoral fins and distinct dorsal coloration.
Blue Marlin
These bony fish have taken on some bird-like characteristics, and use them to clean Algae off of corals.
Parrotfish
This highly migratory species is largely nocturnal and is famous for their acrobatic jumps out of the water.
Tarpon
This species has a long, rounded and slender body shape with a characteristic deeply forked tail.
Hint: A very gendered name
Ladyfish
Also called “whiting,” this fish is a bottom-feeder commonly found in the sandy surf zone along Galveston’s beaches.
Kingfish
Reaching six feet and over 400lbs, these
high speed fish are known for their yellow
markings on their sides and fins.
Yellowfin Tuna
These slender ambush predators hunt primarily by vision, looking for shiny silver fish to hunt.
Great Barracuda
This species hunts by night with help from their sensory barbels but during the day rest in groups.
Nurse Shark
These fish prefer oyster beds and seagrass habitats that attract prey species. They would be most likely to say “Umm, actually” with its prominent canine teeth at the tip of its upper jaw.
Spotted Seatrout
This large bottom-dwelling fish has two separate dorsal fins and sensitive barbels under its chin that help it locate prey such as crabs, shrimp, and small fish in muddy or sandy bottoms.
Black Drum
Capable of living in a variety of environments, this fish experiences protandric hermaphroditism as it matures and reproduces on new moons.
Snook
These large cartilaginous fish spend much of their time cruising the reef structure Where they filter-feed for small marine animals.
Manta Ray
What are some adaptations of nocturnal fish?
Large eyes, enhanced barbells, etc.
These fish have a characteristically cylindrical body shape, long snout, and diamond-shaped interlocking scales. It’s the largest of its species.
Hint: “Oh boy! I sure hope it isn’t 100 ___”
Alligator Gar
Despite its name, this unusual fish burrows into sandy or muddy bottoms and can be found in shallow coastal waters.
Shrimp Eel
Capable of swimming 50 miles per hour, this
large fish has several names to differentiate
it from the marine animal it was named
after.
Dolphin Fish aka. Mahi Mahi
These snake-like fish lack opercula, which creates some challenges when eating. To compensate for this, they evolved a second set of jaws to pull food into their gut.
Moray Eel
what visual adaptation allow deep sea and nocturnal fish to increase light sensitivity.
Multibank retina/multiple rod layers