Fish Index

Lionhead Cichlid (Steatocranus casuarius)

2012-01-24T17:45:00.002-05:00

The Lionhead Cichlid or Steatocranus casuarius is a popular freshwater tropical aquarium fish originally found in Pool Malebo and the Congo River in Africa. This species of Cichlid goes by a few different common names including Blockhead Cichlid, African Blockhead, Buffalohead, Humphead Cichlid, Lionhead, Lumphead and Buffalo Cichlid. As you can see in the pictures, they get their nicknames

Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus)

2012-01-09T23:20:00.001-05:00

The Copper Rockfish or Sebastes caurinus is a widespread saltwater fish that is found off the Pacific Coast of North America. The species of Rockfish from the Sebastidae family can grow up to 22 inches (56cm) in length and weigh just over 10lbs. The female Copper Rockfish is normally a bit larger then the male. They are found in depths of up to 600', normally near the bottom in and around

Comet Grouper (Calloplesiops altivelis)

2012-01-05T14:12:00.001-05:00

The Comet Grouper or Calloplesiops altivelis is a popular aquarium fish that is sometimes referred to as the Marine Betta. This species comes from the Serranidae family of Sea Basses and Groupers which contains roughly 370 different species of saltwater fish. Comet Groupers are small predatory fish that can grow to about 6" (150mm) in length and are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru)

2011-12-20T23:00:00.000-05:00

The French Angelfish or Pomacanthus paru is a saltwater fish from the family Pomacanthidae. This species of Angelfish inhabits the western Atlantic from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil. It is also found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. French Angelfish are most often seen in depths of between 2 and 100 m and can grow up to 16" (41 cm). This species is monogamous, staying with

Glassy Sweeper (Pempheris schomburgki)

2011-12-07T13:22:00.001-05:00

The Glassy Sweeper or Pempheris schomburgki is a small saltwater fish with a tall, long body. They have a big head and large eyes with a very wide mouth. These fish are quite the sight to be seen when they are younger. Their bodies are so transparent that the backbone can be seen in the living fish. As they grow older their bodies become more solid and they grow to about 15cm in length.

Scat (Scatophagus argus)

2011-11-25T18:20:00.001-05:00

The Scat fish or Scatophagus argus is one of only four known species in the Scatophagidae family. This fish has the ability to survive in saltwater, brackish water and freshwater. Also known as the Spotted Scat and the Argus Fish, they are often kept in an aquarium setting. Scats have an oblong body that is laterally compressed. It has a bunch of dark spots on it that become fainter as

Humbug (Dascyllus aruanus)

2011-11-11T20:20:00.001-05:00

The Humbug or Dascyllus aruanus is a popular saltwater aquarium fish from the Pomacentridae family of Damselfish. Considered to be quite hardy, this fish is a great choice for beginners. It goes by a couple different names in the aquarium trade including the Three Striped Damsel and the White-tailed Damselfish. Humbug are found in the Indian and Pacific oceans and can grow to about 3"

Striped Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum)

2011-10-31T13:38:00.001-04:00

The Striped Sailfin Tang or Zebrasoma veliferum is just one of the many different species of saltwater fish from the Acanthuridae family of Tangs and Surgeons. This fish has an unusually large dorsal and anal fin with a brown, yellow and white striped body. Their tails are a bright yellow with blue highlights. Striped Sailfin Tang are found in the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific and Red

Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto)

2011-10-22T12:52:00.002-04:00

The Royal Gramma or Gramma loreto is just one of three known species of saltwater fish in the Grammidae family. The Royal Gramma is a cave-dwelling fish that is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. These fish grow to about 5" (130mm) in length and are made up of a beautiful combination of purple and yellow. Royal Gramma are sometimes kept in an aquarium setting, but do not get along very

Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus)

2011-10-16T17:36:00.005-04:00

The Striped Mullet or Mugil cephalus is a fish from the Mugilidae family which consists of about 70 different species. Striped Mullet fish are bluish gray or green along the back with silver on the sides and a white underbelly. They have a series of black horizontal bars that run down their bodies with a small mouth and blunt nose. Also known as the Black Mullet, Sea Mullet and Fatback, this

Blind Shark (Brachaelurus waddi)

2011-10-15T00:41:00.004-04:00

Blind Shark (Brachaelurus waddi) is one of the two species of Carpet Sharks from the Brachaeluridae family. Despite their name, these sharks are not blind, but instead get their name from the fact that they tend to close their eyes when outside of water. Blind Sharks are found off the Eastern coast of Australia in waters of up to 460' (140 m). These sharks are nocturnal feeders and are often

Majestic Snapper (Symphorichthys spilurus)

2011-10-12T17:23:00.004-04:00

The Majestic Snapper or Symphorichthys spilurus is a beautiful saltwater fish from the Lutjanidae family of Snappers. They can be easily identified by their extremely long dorsal and anal fins. They also have horizontal blue and yellow stripes that run down their bodies. Another distinguishing characteristic of this species of Snapper is a black blotch that is found near their tail and two

Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris)

2011-10-06T18:10:00.002-04:00

The Hickory Shad or Alosa mediocris is a fish that can survive both freshwater and saltwater from the Clupeidae family of Herring. It goes by a few different names including Fall Herring, Bonejack, Shad Herring and the Freshwater Taylor. These fish are long and slender reaching about 2' in length and weighing up to 6lbs. This fish has an oblique mouth and a lower jaw that sticks out further

Scribbled Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus duboulayi)

2011-09-24T14:58:00.007-04:00

The Scribbled Angelfish or Chaetodontoplus duboulayi is a beautiful saltwater fish that is found in the Pacific Ocean in and around reefs. This species of Angelfish can grow to about 8-1/2" (220mm) in length and is a fairly popular aquarium fish. Scribbled Angelfish get their name from the dark blue scribbles that cover the majority of their bodies. A dark bar runs across their eyes and their

Stonecat (Noturus flavus)

2011-09-20T20:03:00.002-04:00

The Stonecat or Noturus flavus is one of the more common species of Catfish. It is widely distributed throughout North America in places like the Hudson River, Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River and Mississippi River basin. This freshwater fish is often found in and around large rocks, hence their name the Stonecat. Be careful if you catch one of these fish they have poison glands at the base of

Sabre-toothed Blenny (Aspidontus taeniatus)

2011-09-14T14:52:00.002-04:00

The Sabre-toothed Blenny or Aspidontus taeniatus is the trickster of salt water fish. This species of Blenny will actually mimic the "dance" of the Cleanerfish or Cleaner Wrasse which is a fish that will clean parasites and scales of other fish from their underbellies. When the Sabre-tooth Blenny gets it unsuspecting victim to expose their underbelly it will will attack with its sharp teeth and

Congo Glass Catfish (Parailia congica)

2011-09-10T18:07:00.002-04:00

The Congo Glass Catfish or Parailia congica is an amazing fish with a semi-transparent body. You can actually see the internal organs and backbone of this fish right through its skin! This freshwater fish is also known as the African Glass Catfish and can grow to about 3" (8cm) in maximum length. Their odd appearance makes them a favorite in aquariums. The follow water conditions are

Ladyfish (Elops saurus)

2011-09-04T11:54:00.002-04:00

The Ladyfish or Elops saurus is a saltwater fish that inhabits the Atlantic Ocean. This fish can tolerate freshwater and is often found in bays and estuaries. They can be caught with surface baits and tend to school together. Once hooked they are said to put up a good fight and often jump right out of the water. Ladyfish have a slender body with small scales and a small pointed head.

Hovercraft Boxfish (Tetrosomus gibbosus)

2011-08-31T21:12:00.000-04:00

The Hovercraft Boxfish or Tetrosomus gibbosus gets its name from the way it seems to hover when it is swimming. This saltwater fish is just one of the many different species of Boxfish in the Ostraciiadae family. Often kept as a pet, this aquarium fish is know for its odd behavior and weird shape. Hovercraft Boxfish can grow to about 16" (400mm) in length and are found in the Indian and

Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau)

2011-08-20T18:02:00.000-04:00

The Oyster Toadfish or Opsanus tau is just one of the many saltwater fish from the family Batrachoididae known as Toadfish. These fish occasionally make it into the aquarium trade and go by a few different names including Mudtoad, Ugly Toad, Oyster Cracker, Dowdies and the Bar Dog. As you can imagine with a nickname like the Ugly Toad this fish is quite odd looking with a yellowish brown

Spotfin Mojarra (Eucinostomus argenteus)

2011-08-16T11:47:00.001-04:00

The Spotfin Mojarra or Eucinostomus argenteus is a small saltwater fish that is found in the Atlantic Ocean near the shore. This fish is oblong with a silver compressed body that can grow to about 8" in length. The Spotfin Mojarra has a spinous dorsal fin that has black spots with three anal fin spines. They have jaws that are pointing downward which allows them to feed off the bottom. Also

Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus)

2011-08-10T11:37:00.002-04:00

The Gray Snapper or Lutjanus griseus is thought to be one of the more intelligent fish in the ocean. This saltwater fish has the ability to change it coloration to a bright red to blend in with its surroundings and avoid potential predators. Also known as the Mangrove Snapper, Mango Snapper, Grey Snapper, Black Snapper, Lowyer or Cabellerote they grow to about 35.4 inches (90cm) and can weigh

Doctor Fish (Garra rufa)

2011-07-21T23:11:00.004-04:00

The Doctor Fish or Garra rufa is a freshwater fish that likes to nibble on human skin! It is even used in spas as a skin treatment! Lucky for us this fish will eat only the dead skin, leaving the healthy skin untouched. Doctor Fish have been used to treat multiple skin disorders, including eczema and psoriasis. You can check them out chowing down on humans in the videos below. Also known

Pacific Sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus)

2011-07-19T13:12:00.004-04:00

The Pacific Sanddab or Citharichthys sordidus is a Flatfish that is found in the Sea of Japan, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea and other places in the Pacific Ocean. Like other Flatfish, they begin their lives with eyes on both sides of their heads, but this quickly changes and they end up with both eyes on one side. This odd trait helps them see their potential prey from the sea floor with ease.

Bigscale Logperch (Percina macrolepida)

2011-07-12T19:54:00.002-04:00

The Bigscale Logperch or Percina macrolepida is just one of the 11 different species of Logperch found in North America. The Bigscale Logperch is a freshwater fish that is found in a few different states including Texas, California, Oklahoma and Arkansas. They are not very large, only growing to about 4" in maximum length. These fish are slender with black or green vertical bars running down