Fishes of the North Inlet Estuary, SC A guide to their identification and ecology Raymond G. Simpson Dennis M. Allen Stacy A. Sherman Kimberly F. Edwards Illustrations by R. G. Simpson Baruch Marine Field Laboratory Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences University of South Carolina This publication should be cited as: Simpson, R.G., D.M. Allen, S.A. Sherman, and K.F. Edwards. 2015. Fishes of the North Inlet estuary: a guide to their identification and ecology. Belle W. Baruch Institute Special Publication. University of South Carolina. 143 pp. This book is dedicated to my father, Craig Simpson, who has given me the encouragement and inspiration to follow my dreams. Raymond G. Simpson Contents Preface and Acknowledgements................................................................................................. 6 About the Authors ....................................................................................................................... 7 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 8 How to Use This Guide .............................................................................................................. 11 Illustrated Species Accounts ...................................................................................................... 13 Triakidae – houndsharks .................................................................................................... 14 Carcharhinidae – requiem sharks ..................................................................................... 15 Sphyrnidae – hammerheads .............................................................................................. 19 Rajidae – skates .................................................................................................................... 20 Dasyatidae – stingrays ........................................................................................................ 21 Gymnuridae – butterfly rays ............................................................................................ 24 Rhinopteridae – cownose rays ......................................................................................... 25 Acipenseridae – sturgeons ................................................................................................. 26 Megalopidae – tarpons ....................................................................................................... 27 Elopidae – tenpounders ..................................................................................................... 28 Anguillidae – freshwater eels ............................................................................................ 29 Ophichthidae – snake eels ................................................................................................. 30 Clupeidae – herrings ........................................................................................................... 31 Engraulidae – anchovies ................................................................................................... 36 Ariidae – sea catfishes ........................................................................................................ 38 Phycidae – phycid hakes .................................................................................................... 40 Synodontidae – lizardfishes ............................................................................................... 41 Ophidiidae – cusk-eels ....................................................................................................... 42 Batrachoididae – toadfishes ............................................................................................... 43 Antennariidae – frogfishes ................................................................................................. 44 Belonidae – needlefishes ................................................................................................... 45 Cyprinodontidae – pupfishes ............................................................................................ 46 Fundulidae – top minnows ................................................................................................ 47 Poeciliidae – livebearers ..................................................................................................... 50 Atherinopsidae – New World silversides ........................................................................ 52 Syngnathidae – pipefishes ................................................................................................ 55 Scorpaenidae – scorpionfishes .......................................................................................... 58 Triglidae – searobins ........................................................................................................... 59 Moronidae – temperate basses ......................................................................................... 62 Serranidae – sea basses ....................................................................................................... 63 Pomatomidae – bluefishes ................................................................................................ 66 Priacanthidae – bigeyes ...................................................................................................... 67 Rachycentridae - cobias ...................................................................................................... 68 Carangidae – jacks ............................................................................................................... 69 Lutjanidae – snappers ......................................................................................................... 76 Lobotidae – tripletails ......................................................................................................... 77 Gerreidae – mojarras ........................................................................................................... 78 Haemulidae – grunts ......................................................................................................... 82 Sparidae – porgies ............................................................................................................... 83 Sciaenidae – drums ............................................................................................................ 85 Ephippidae – spadefishes .................................................................................................. 95 Labridae – wrasses ............................................................................................................. 96 Mugilidae – mullets ........................................................................................................... 97 Uranoscopidae – stargazers ............................................................................................... 99 Blenniidae – combtooth blennies ................................................................................... 100 Gobiidae – gobies ............................................................................................................. 104 Gobiesocidae – clingfishes .............................................................................................. 108 Eleotridae – sleepers ........................................................................................................ 109 Trichiuridae – snake mackerels ....................................................................................... 110 Scombridae – mackerels ................................................................................................... 111 Paralichthyidae – sand flounders ................................................................................... 113 Scophthalmidae – turbots ................................................................................................ 118 Cynoglossidae – tonguefishes ........................................................................................ 119 Achiridae – American soles ............................................................................................ 120 Monacanthidae – filefishes .............................................................................................. 121 Tetraodontidae – puffers .................................................................................................. 122 Diodontidae – porcupinefishes ....................................................................................... 123 Appendix. All Species Identified in North Inlet .................................................................. 124 Glossary of Anatomical and Ecological Terms ..................................................................... 134 References and Recommended Field Guides ....................................................................... 137 Index of Scientific and Common Names ............................................................................... 139 Preface and Acknowledgments Anybody who spends time around tidal waters and marshes is aware that fishes are abundant and important to both the ecology of coastal systems and the recreational and economic interests of our local communities. What most observers and fishermen do not realize is that the diversity of species and life styles of fishes in this region are very high and that many species are seldom seen and sometimes difficult to identify.