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 . 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 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 morio

2nd dorsal spine longest

Unorganized white blotches

Inside of mouth orange Reddish-brown coloration Gag aka Black Grouper, Copper Belly 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 (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