List of fishes of Florida facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Florida is a state in the United States known for its amazing variety of fish. From tiny freshwater fish to giant ocean sharks, Florida's rivers, lakes, and oceans are home to many different species. Some fish live only in fresh water, some only in salt water, and others can live in both! This article will tell you about some of the cool fish you can find in Florida.

Ocean Dwellers: Fish of the Saltwater
Freshwater Wonders: Fish of Rivers and Lakes
- Native Freshwater Fish
- Non-Native (Invasive) Freshwater Fish
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See also

Ocean Dwellers: Fish of the Saltwater

Florida's long coastline means it has many ocean fish. These fish live in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Sharks and Rays

Sharks are some of the most famous ocean fish. The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a huge predator, but it's quite rare to see one in Florida. The Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second largest fish in the world, right after the Whale shark. It eats tiny plankton and is also found here.

Other sharks include the Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas), which is special because it can live in both fresh and salt water. The Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris) and Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) are also common. You might also spot a Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran) with its unique head shape.

Rays are flat fish related to sharks. The Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari) is beautiful with its white spots. The Manta Ray (Mobula birostris) is another giant, gentle ray that glides through the water. The Atlantic Stingray (Hypanus sabinus) is interesting because it can live in both fresh and salt water, even in the St. Johns River!

Big Game Fish

Florida is a popular spot for fishing, especially for large game fish. The Atlantic Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is a powerful, fast swimmer. The Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) is another speedy fish, known for its delicious meat.

The Mahi-Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), also called Dolphinfish or Dorado, is a colorful fish often found in open waters. Tuna species like the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) are also found here.

Reef and Coastal Fish

Many colorful fish live near Florida's coral reefs and coastlines. The Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara), also known as Jewfish, is a massive fish that can grow very large. Other groupers include the Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) and Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio).

Parrotfish (Scaridae) are vibrant fish that help keep coral reefs healthy by eating algae. Examples include the Blue Parrotfish (Scarus coeruleus) and Rainbow Parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia).

The Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a popular fish for anglers, found in coastal waters and sometimes in fresh water. The Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), also called Channel Bass, is another favorite.

You might also see the Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), a long, toothy fish, or the Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), a large, silvery fish known for its acrobatic jumps.

Freshwater Wonders: Fish of Rivers and Lakes

Florida's inland waters, like the Everglades and many lakes and rivers, are home to a different set of fish.

Native Freshwater Fish

The Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula) is one of the largest freshwater fish in North America, growing up to 10 feet long! It looks a bit like an alligator. The Florida Gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) is another native gar species.

Bass are very popular in Florida's freshwater. The Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a famous game fish. The Florida Bass (Micropterus floridanus) is a special type of largemouth bass found mostly in Florida. Other native bass include the Shoal Bass (Micropterus cataractae) and Suwannee Bass (Micropterus notius).

Sunfish are small, colorful fish common in lakes and ponds. The Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) are good examples. The Everglades Pygmy Sunfish (Elassoma evergladei) is a tiny, unique fish found in the Everglades.

The American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) lives in fresh water and estuaries but travels all the way to the Sargasso Sea to lay its eggs. The Bowfin (Amia calva) is an ancient-looking fish that can breathe air.

Non-Native (Invasive) Freshwater Fish

Florida's warm climate and interconnected waterways make it easy for non-native fish to thrive, sometimes causing problems for native species. These are often called "invasive species."

The Asian Swamp Eel (Monopterus albus) is an invasive species that has spread widely in the Florida Everglades. It can even move across land! Tilapia species, like the Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), are also common non-native fish in Florida's fresh waters.

Many types of Cichlids are invasive in Florida, often from people releasing their aquarium fish into the wild. Examples include the Mayan Cichlid (Mayaheros urophthalmus), Convict Cichlid (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus), and Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus).

Carp species, such as the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), are also found in Florida's freshwater systems. The Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) is another non-native fish that can use its fins to "walk" short distances on land.

Even common aquarium fish like Goldfish (Carassius auratus) and Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) have established wild populations in Florida after being released. The Doctorfish (Garra rufa) has even escaped from beauty spas!