IFQ Species Identification
March 2017
portal.southeast.fisheries.noaa.gov/cs
Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Catch Share Customer Support: 866-425-7627 (option 2) E-mail: [email protected]
Disclaimer: Revisions to this document will be periodically posted on the Southeast Regional Office IFQ website.
IFQ Species Identification
The purpose of this guide is to assist fishers and dealers in correctly identifying Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) managed species in the Gulf of Mexico. Data from the IFQ landings are frequently used in stock assessments and they are vital that species are accurately identified and reported to the IFQ program. Certain species are very similar in appearance and could possibly be confused when captured or landed after a trip. Some common examples are:
1. Gag Grouper vs. Black Grouper 2. Black Grouper vs. Yellowfin Grouper 3. Scamp Grouper vs. Yellowmouth Grouper 4. Golden Tilefish vs. Goldface Tilefish 5. Blueline Tilefish vs. Goldface Tilefish
This guide aims to assist in correctly identifying and reporting species for each landing transaction, as such information is an important contributor to the management of the fisheries.
All photos and identification information are courtesy of the Southeast Fishery Science Center Galveston Reef Fish Observer Program
Black vs. Gag Grouper
Orange spots Black Grouper forming rectangular blotches with nearly squared edges. Black grouper also tend to have a deeper body (height) than gag grouper.
Gag Grouper
Gag grouper have “kiss marks” that diminish with age. Lacks the wide black margin found on black Older Gag Younger Gag grouper. Black vs. Yellowfin Grouper
Both have orange Black Grouper spots forming blotches, but for black grouper they tend be rectangular versus more rounded for yellowfin grouper.
Yellowfin Grouper
Color variable (two primary phase), but typically with a reddish hue on dorsal region Yellow eye Yellow edge on pectoral fins Scamp vs. Yellowmouth Grouper
Scamp Grouper Long filaments with dusky “Broom” tail coloration (adults only) on caudal and anal fins
BOTH have yellow mouths
Jagged edge on caudal fin
Yellowmouth Grouper Rounded anal fin Golden vs. Goldface Tilefish
Golden Tilefish ONLY tilefish with pre-dorsal flap
Yellow spots
NO pre-dorsal flap Goldface Tilefish
Broad gold and blue stripes below eye Dark spot at pectoral fin base Blueline vs. Goldface Tilefish
Typically lacks a distinct Blueline Tilefish gold strip below eye NO pre-dorsal flap
NO spot at pectoral fin base Goldface Tilefish
NO pre-dorsal flap
Broad gold and Dark spot at pectoral fin base blue stripes below eye Red vs. Vermilion Snapper Red Snapper Truncate (shallow fork) caudal fin
Triangular shaped Pointed head anal fin Vermilion Deeply forked Snapper caudal fin
Small symmetrical head with a superior (upturned) mouth Rounded anal fin Red vs. Mutton Snapper
Red Snapper Truncate (shallow fork) caudal fin
Mutton snapper typically have a blue Red eye and fin line below the eye and coloration more olive body coloration than red Mutton Snapper Dark spot Moderately forked snapper caudal fin
Faint Blue line Dark spot blue line Pinkish fins Red Snapper aka Northern or Genuine Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus Juveniles have diffuse 10 Dorsal Spines dorsal spot Red eye
Triangular shaped head
Pointed anal fin Red Grouper Epinephelus morio
2nd dorsal spine longest
Unorganized white blotches
Inside of mouth orange Reddish-brown coloration Gag aka Black Grouper, Copper Belly Mycteroperca microlepis
“Kiss marks” or worm pattern that diminish with age Preopercle with serrated spur
Pale to dark gray coloration Black Grouper aka Carbuerita, Carbo Mycteroperca bonaci
Rounded preopercle Distinct brassy spots Rectangular blotches Yellowfin Grouper aka fireback Mycteroperca venenosa
Yellowish eye
Yellow edge on pectoral fins Very similar to black grouper. Typically with bright red on upper body Scamp Mycteroperca phenax
“Broom” caudal fin Profuse reddish-brown spots Knobbed preopercle
“Cat paw” marks
Note: Yellowmouth is present Juvenile lacks broom tail Yellowmouth Grouper Mycteroperca interstitialis Rectangular pattern
No broom tail Rounded anal fin Speckled Hind aka Kitty Mitchell, Calico, Strawberry Epinephelus drummondhayi
Reddish-brown coloration Profuse white spots
Juveniles have white spots on a yellow background Transition Warsaw Grouper Epinephelus nigritus 2nd dorsal longest Dull gray coloration Square caudal fin 10 spines total (when not fanned out)
Grows to extremely large size
Juvenile warsaw (10 spines) could be confused with snowy grouper (11 spines). When in doubt count the dorsal spines. Snowy Grouper aka Brownie Epinephelus niveatus
Many white spots 11 Dorsal Spines forming vertical rows
Larger, older snowy grouper tend to lose the white spots and could be confused with warsaw grouper. Count the dorsal spines. No yellow edge on pectoral fins or yellow eye Yellowedge Grouper Epinephelus flavolimbatus Yellow edge on dorsal and pectoral fins Yellow eye
Scattered white spots Golden Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Fleshy pre-dorsal Yellow spots (adipose) flap Blueline Tilefish aka Gray tilefish Caulolatilus microps
No dark coloration at base Blue line under the eye of pectoral fin
Note: Goldface and blackline tilefish have dark coloration at the base of pectoral fin Goldface Tilefish Caulolatilus chrysops
Broad gold and blue stripes below eye
Dark coloration at pectoral fin base
Similar species not in guide Blackline Tilefish: Both blackline and goldface have dark spot at pectoral axil, but blackline tilefish have a distinct line below dorsal fin