Common Fish of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico - Marine Science Honors Notes

Sarasota Bay and Roberts Bay are subtropical estuaries located in Sarasota.
An estuary is defined as a semi-enclosed body of water where freshwater mixes with saltwater.
Freshwater flows into Sarasota Bay and Roberts Bay from several sources:
- Hudson Bayou
- Whitaker Bayou
- Bowles Creek
- Phillippi Creek
Sarasota Bay and Roberts Bay connect to the Gulf of Mexico through:
- New Pass
- Big Pass
- Midnight Pass (reopened in 2024 due to storms)

Bonnethead sharks inhabit shallow coastal waters, typically over sandy or muddy bottoms, coral reefs, and grass flats.
They are commonly found in Sarasota Bay and the surrounding estuaries.
Bonnetheads are the smallest members of the Hammerhead family, characterized by their shovel-shaped heads.
They are considered harmless to humans.
Mote Marine Laboratory scientists often tag them for tracking studies.
Their diet consists of crabs and other crustaceans.

Tarpon, often called the "silver king," are popular game fish, known for their large scales that can be the size of silver dollars.
They are found in the inshore waters along the West Coast of Florida.
Tarpon are famous for their spectacular and frequent jumps out of the water.
Most angler catches range from 40 to 150 pounds, with a record of 243 lbs.
Tarpon feed on fish and crustaceans.

Flounder are known for their flat bodies and exceptional camouflaging abilities.
During their early development, they have one eye on each side of their head and swim near the sea surface.
As they mature, their body tilts to one side, and one eye migrates to the other side.
Adult flounder have both eyes on the top side of their head.
They live as bottom dwellers, lying flat on the sea floor with both eyes facing upward to search for prey.
Flounder are found in relatively shallow areas with soft bottoms.
They can grow up to 2 lbs. and 15 inches long.

Snook are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature and are found in Florida's inshore warmer waters. A freeze can be fatal to Snook populations in the area.
They are often found in mangrove shorelines, under docks, and around pilings and other structures like bridges.
Snook are strong, voracious predators.
They can range in size from 3 to 30 pounds, with a Florida record of 44 lbs.
Snook are recognized by the distinct black line along their lateral line and their protruding lower jaw.

Florida pompano live along beaches and in bays, especially in or near channels that run through grass flats.
They feed along the bottom in the surf zone of beaches, foraging for sand fleas and coquina clams.
Pompano commonly weigh 1-2 lbs, but can grow up to 8 lbs.
They are silvery all over with a yellow underside.
Pompano are often mistaken for crevalle jack or young permit.

Seatrout, commonly known as speckled trout, are schooling species typically found in the shallow waters of bays and estuaries but can also be found in deeper waters.
They have two large canine teeth in the upper jaw.
Seatrout feed mainly on shrimp and baitfish in grassy areas.
Gulf Coast trout are considered large at 5-8 pounds but can exceed 10 pounds.
From spring through fall, they are found on shallow grassy flats and in grass-lined channels and holes.

Sheepshead have vertical black bands that contrast with their dull white, gray, or yellowish body color.
They have a mouth full of massive, protruding teeth, giving them their name and distinguishing them from juvenile Black Drum.
The spines of their dorsal and anal fins are heavy and sharp.
Sheepshead live along rocky bottoms, from coastal creeks and rivers to offshore areas.
They prefer docks, pilings, artificial reefs, and any structure with barnacles and/or crabs.
Sheepshead are known as "crab-crushers" and feed on barnacles, mollusks, and crabs living on docks and pilings.

Scrawled Cowfish, often called boxfish, have their head and body encased in a hard, box-like shell.
Their rigid shell restricts movement to their fins, eyes, and mouth.
They have distinct horns on the top of their head, giving them their name, and a parrot-like tiny beak for a mouth.
Scrawled Cowfish are found around the seagrass beds of Sarasota Bay.
They feed on sponges, hermit crabs, marine plants, anemones, and crustaceans like shrimp.

Lookdown are extremely flat-bodied, schooling species that appear to look down while swimming.
They are commonly found in brackish water, estuaries, and coastal waters around Sarasota Bay, with both sandy and rocky bottom areas.
Their caudal fin is forked, enabling fast swimming in schools.
They feed on small crabs, shrimp, worms, and small fish.
Lookdowns are popular, flashy fish that are a fan favorite in aquariums.

Spanish Mackerel are long, thin fish with razor-sharp teeth.
They are found in open Gulf and bay waters, swimming in schools.
Known to travel many miles in a day.
They feed on small, schooling bait fish.
Anglers can often spot a school when they see flocks of birds diving overhead to feed on baitfish fleeing from the mackerel chase.

The black grouper is one of 15 different grouper species living in the Gulf and is highly regarded for its taste, served in many local seafood restaurants in Sarasota.
Grouper tend to hover under structures and wait for prey to approach.
They use their mouth and gills to create a vacuum, inhaling prey from a few feet away and swallowing it whole.
They're found in coastal waters near structures. Juveniles can be found inshore.
Adults are associated with rocky bottoms, reefs, and drop-off walls in water over 60 feet deep.