| Photo - click to enlarge | Scientific name |
Common name |
Comments |
 |
Prionotus scitulus | Leopard sea robin | Like the many other species of sea robins in this area, it uses its large pectoral fins to sir up the bottom and to "walk" between brief swimming intervals. |
 |
|||
 |
Prionotus tribulus | Big head sea robin |
Juveniles are common in estuaries. The big head and large spiny fins
make it look formidable but it is normally docile. A bottom feeder of
shrimp and worms. Grows to 14". (The one pitured is 1" long.) Small ones are common inshore. |
 |
Sardinella aurita | Spanish sardine | Can grow to 10 inches. At times, very abundant on inshore grass beds. |
 |
Sciaenops ocellatus | Red drum | Adults are a major game fish. The young hatch offshore and migrate to bays and estuaries in late fall heading for shallow grass beds and tidal flats. Older juveniles disperse into all bay waters. |
 |
Sphoeroides nephelus | Southern puffer | Note the black spot on the pectoral fin. Adults grow to 10”. Fishermen discard them ashore as they do with hardhead catfish. (Yet another sign of human disrespect for other life forms). |
 |
Sphoeroides spengleri | Bandtail puffer | Given the row of spots along its underside and banded caudal fin , you can’t miss it. Although its white back muscle is edible , it carries enough nerve poison to kill a human or a pet. |
 |
Sphyraena barracuda | Greater barracuda | Hard to believe you can catch one in a seine net but they are relatively sluggish. Nonetheless, repect its teeth. Adults are rarely eaten for fear of ciguatera poisoning. |