mescal fisheries survey - fish identification guide

Mangrove Ecosystems for

Climate Change

Adaptation and Livelihoods

MESCAL Fisheries Surveys:MESCAL Fisheries Surveys:

Fish identification guide

Marcus Sheaves, Ross Johnston &

Carlo Mattone

This guide details, as far as possible, the identities of fish and crustaceans

recorded during the MESCAL fisheries surveys conducted in Fiji, Samoa,

Tonga, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands during 2012.

This is not a comprehensive species list for any country involved in the

surveys, rather it is based on catches during surveys. Species listing and

identifications are restricted to taxonomic levels at which reliable

identification could be established from photographs supplied by

participating countries. In many cases particular species were listed on participating countries. In many cases particular species were listed on

catch data sheets but validation was not possible because images were not

supplied for independent verification of identification. Species without

independent validation of identity have not been included in this guide.

Taxa are only listed as present in a country if taxonomic identity was

validated for that country.

Common Name Surgeonfish

Family

Acanthuridae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)

100 (most much

smaller)

Distribution Solomon Islands

Common Name Cardinalfish

Family

Apogonidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)20

Distribution Fiji, Vanuatu

Apogon amboinensis

Family Apogonidae

Common Name Amboina Cardinalfish

Maximum Total Length

(cm)7

Distribution Vanuatu

Apogon hyalosoma

Randall, JE. Fishbase CC-BY-NC-3.0

Family Apogonidae

Common NameHumpbacked

Cardinalfish


(cm)17


Common Name Silversides

Family

Atherinidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)60


Atherinomorus endrachtensis

Randall, JE. CC-BY-NC-3.0

Common NameEendracht Land

Silverside


(cm)9


Common Name Needlefish

Family

Belonidae

Common Name Needlefish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)150


Strongylura spp.

Family Belonidae

Common

NameNeedlefish, Longtom

Maximum Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

100


Tylosurus crocodilus crocodilus

Family Belonidae

Common

NameHound needlefish

Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

150

Distribution Fiji

Common Name Blenny

Maximum Total ~54cm, most under

Family

Blenniidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)

~54cm, most under

15cm


Common Name Trevally

Family

Carangidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)170


Carangoides ferdau

Dr Dwayne Meadows

Family Carangidae

Common Name Blue Trevally

Maximum Total

Length (cm)70

Distribution Fiji

Caranx ignobilis

Dr Dwayne Meadows

Family Carangidae

Common Name Giant Trevally

Maximum Total

Length (cm)170


Caranx papuensis

Dr Dwayne Meadows

Family Carangidae

Common Name Papuan Trevally

Maximum Total

Length (cm)88

Distribution Fiji

Caranx sexfasciatus

Dr Dwayne Meadows

Family Carangidae

Common Name Bigeye Trevally

Maximum Total

Length (cm)170

Distribution Tonga

Scomberoides spp.

Family Carangidae

Common Name Queenfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)60-120cm


Selar crumenopthalamus

SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory, Collection of Brandi Noble. NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC. CC-BY-2.0

Family Carangidae

Common Name Bigeye Scad

Maximum Total

Length (cm)30


Family Chanidae

Family

Chandidae

Common Name Milkfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)180

Distribution Fiji

Chanos chanos

Family Chanidae

Common Name Milkfish

Maximum Total 180

Maximum Total

Length (cm)180

Distribution Fiji

Common Name Wolf-herring

Family

Chirocentridae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)100

Distribution Fiji

Chirocentrus dorab

Family Chanidae

Common Name Dorab wolf-herring

Maximum Total 100

Maximum Total

Length (cm)100

Distribution Fiji

Common Name Tilapia

Family

Cichlidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)40

Distribution Tonga

Common Name Herring

Family

Clupeidae


(cm)25


Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus

Family Clupeidae

Common Name Bluestripe Herring

Maximum Total

Length (cm)25

Winterbottom, R. Fishwise Professional CC-BY-NC-SA-3.0


Sardinella spp.

Family Clupeidae

Common

NameSardine

Maximum

Length (cm)31

Distribution Samoa

Sardinella fijiense

Family Clupeidae

Common Name Fiji sardinella

Maximum Total

Length (cm)11.5

Distribution Fiji

Spratelloides spp.

Family Clupeidae

Common

NameHerring

Maximum Total

Length (cm)6-12


Common Name Gudgeon

Family

Eleotridae

Common Name Gudgeon


(cm)34

Distribution Fiji, Solomon Islands

Belobranchus belobranchus

Family Eleotridae

Common Name Throat-spine gudgeon

Maximum Total

Length (cm)19.5

Distribution Fiji

Bostrychus sinensis

Family Eleotridae

Common Name Four-eyed sleeper

Maximum Total

Length (cm)22

Distribution Fiji

Butis amboinensis

Family Eleotridae

Common Name Olive flathead-gudgeon

Maximum Total

Length (cm)14

Distribution Fiji

Ophiocara porocephala

BIO Photography Group. Biodiversity institute of Ontarion. CC-BY-SA

Family Eleotridae

Common Name Northern Mud Gudgeon

Maximum Total

Length (cm)34


Common Name Anchovies

Family

Engraulidae


(cm)30


Stolephorus spp.

Family Engraulidae

Common Name Anchovy

Maximum Total

Length (cm)15

Length (cm)

Distribution Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

Stolephorus indicus

Family Engraulidae

Common Name Indian anchovy

Maximum Total

Length (cm)15.5

Length (cm)

Distribution Fiji

Thryssa spp.

Family Engraulidae

Common

NameAnchovy

Maximum Total

Length (cm)~30cm. Most 10-15cm


Common Name Silver biddies


Family

Gerreidae


(cm)


Gerres longirostris

Family Gerreidae

Common Name Strongspine Silver Biddy

Maximum Total

Length (cm)37

Distribution Fiji

Common Name Goby

Maximum Total

Length (cm)19

Family

Gobiidae

Length (cm)19

DistributionFiji, Samoa, Solomon

Islands

Acentrogobius nebulosus

Family Gobiidae

Common Name Shadow Goby

Maximum Total

Length (cm)18

Distribution Samoa, Solomon Islands

Common Name Sweetlips

Family

Haemulidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)100

Distribution Fiji

Plectorhinchus albovittatus

Family Haemulidae

Common Name Two-striped sweetlips

Maximum Total

Length (cm)100

Length (cm)

Distribution Fiji

Family

Hemiramphidae

Common Name Halfbeak, garfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)25

Distribution Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu

Common Name Squirrelfish

Family

Holocentridae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)32


Neoniphon sammara

David Burdick

Family Holocentridae

Common Name Sammara squirrelfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)32

Length (cm)


Common Name Flagtail

Family

Kuhliidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)18

Distribution Fiji

Kuhlia marginata

Family Kuhliidae

Common NameDark-margined

flagtail

Maximum Total

Length (cm)18

Distribution Fiji

Family

Labridae

Common Name Wrasse

Maximum Total

Length (cm)120


Stethojulis strigiventer

Male

Randall JE. Fishbase CC-BY-NC-3.0

Family Labridae

Common Name Three-ribbon Wrasse

Maximum Total

Length (cm)15

Female

Randall JE. Fishbase CC-BY-NC-3.0


Common Name False trevally

Family

Lactariidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)40

Distribution Fiji

Lactarius lactarius

Family Lactariidae

Common Name False trevally

Maximum Total

Length (cm)40

Distribution Fiji

Family

Leiognathidae

Common Name Striped Ponyfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)21

DistributionFiji, Solomon Islands,

Tonga

Aurigequula fasciata

Family Leiognathidae

Common Name Striped Ponyfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)21

Distribution Fiji

Eubleekeria splendens


Common Name Splendid Ponyfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)17

Distribution Fiji

Gazza minuta


Common Name Toothpony

Maximum Total

Length (cm)21

Distribution Fiji

Leiognathus equulus

JT Williams, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History CC-BY-SA 3.0


Common Name Common Ponyfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)28

Fiji, Solomon Islands,

FAO 2013 CC-BY-3.0


Tonga

Family

Lethrinidae

Common Name Emperor

Maximum Total Maximum Total

Length (cm)50

Distribution Tonga, Vanuatu

Lethrinus amboninensis

Family Lethrinidae

Common Name Ambon Emperor

Maximum Total

Length (cm)70

Asman P, Lenoble J. Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0

Distribution Fiji

Lethrinus harak

Family Lethrinidae

Common Name Thumbprint Emperor

Maximum Total

Length (cm)50

Asman P, Lenoble J. Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0

Asman P, Lenoble J. Wikimedia commons CC-BY-2.0


Lethrinus ravus

BIO photography group. Biodiversity Institute of Ontario CC-BY-NC-SA-3.0

Family Lethrinidae

Common Name Drab Emperor

Maximum Total

Length (cm)25

Distribution VanuatuDistribution Vanuatu

BIO photography group. Biodiversity Institute of Ontario CC-BY-NC-SA-3.0

Family

Lutjanidae

Common Name Snapper

Maximum Total

Length (cm)150

Distribution Fiji, Samoa

Lutjanus argentimaculatus

Sahat Ratmuangkhwang, Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-3.0

Family Lutjanidae

Common NameMangrove Jack, Mangrove

Red Snapper

Maximum Total

Length (cm)150

Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Adult

Juvenile

Sahat Ratmuangkhwang, Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-3.0


Islands

Lutjanus fulviflamma

Family Lutjanidae

Common Name Dory Snapper

Maximum Total

Length (cm)35

R. Cada from Fishbase

P. Asman and J. Lenoble. Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0

Distribution Fiji

Lutjanus fulvus

Family Lutjanidae

Common Name Blacktail Snapper

Maximum Total

Length (cm)40

Fiji, Solomon Islands, R. Cada from Fishbase



Vanuatu

Lutjanus maxweberi

Family Lutjanidae

Common Name Pygmy Snapper

Maximum Total

Length (cm)15




Lutjanus russellii

Family Lutjanidae

Common Name Russells Snapper

Maximum Total

Length (cm)50



Distribution Fiji

Family

Megalopidae

Common Name Tarpon

Maximum Total

Length (cm)150

Distribution Fiji

Megalops cyprinoides

Family Megalopidae

Common Name Indo-Pacific tarpon

Maximum Total

Length (cm)150



Distribution Fiji

Family

Mugilidae

Common Name Mullet

Maximum Total

Length (cm)70


Chelon subviridis

Family Mugilidae

Common Name Greenback mullet

Maximum Total

Length (cm)40


Moolgarda spp.

Family Mugilidae

Common Name Mullet

Maximum Total

Length (cm)40

Distribution Tonga

Moolgarda seheli

Family Mugilidae

Common Name Bluespot mullet

Maximum Total

Length (cm)60

Distribution Fiji

Mugil cephalus

Family Mugilidae

Common Name Flathead grey mullet

Maximum Total

Length (cm)100

Distribution Fiji

Ellochelon vaigiensis

Arthur Chapman. Foter. CC-BY-NC-SA

Family Mugilidae

Common Name Squaretail Mullet

Maximum Total

Length (cm)63

Williams JT Moorea Biocode CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0


Family

Mullidae

Common Name Goatfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)43


Mulloidichthys flavolineatus

Inaglory, B. Wikimedia commons CC-BY-SA-3.0

Family Mullidae

Common Name Yellowstripe Goatfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)43

Biopix CC-BY-NC-3.0


Upeneus vittatus

Family Mullidae

Common Name Yellowstripe Goatfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)28

Distribution Fiji

Family

Monodactylidae

Common

NameBatfish

Maximum Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

27


Monodactylus argenteus

Family Monodactylidae

Common

NameSilver Batfish

Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

27Haplochromis

Shears LT. CC-BY_SA-3.0


Family

Scombridae

Common

NameMackerel

Maximum Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

120

Distribution Fiji

Rastrelliger kanagurta

Family Scombridae

Common

NameIndian mackerel

Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

35

Distribution Fiji

Family

Serranidae

Common

NameGrouper

Maximum Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

120

Distribution Fiji

Family

Siganidae

Common

NameSpinefoot

Maximum Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

45

Distribution Fiji

Siganus vermiculatus

Family Siganidae

Common

NameVermiculated spinefoot

Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

45

Distribution Fiji

Family

Sphyraenidae

Common

NameBarracuda

Maximum Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

200


Sphyraena barracuda

Larry Basch

Family Sphyraenidae

Common

NameGreat Barracuda

Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

200

Laban712


Sphyraena qenie

Family Sphyraenidae

Common

NameBlackfin barracuda

Maximum

Total Length

(cm)

170

Distribution Fiji

Common

NameSeahorses, Pipefishes

Family

Sygnathidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)60


Microphis retzii

Family Syngnathidae

Common Name Ragged-tailed pipefish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)14.5

Distribution Fiji

Common Name Lizardfish

Family

Synodontidae

Common Name Lizardfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)~60cm


Family

Terapontidae

Common Name Perch

Maximum Total

Length (cm)36

Distribution Fiji, Samoa

Mesopristes kneri

Family Terapontidae

Common Name Jarbua Terapon

Maximum Total

Length (cm)36

Distribution Samoa

Terapon jarbua

Kare Kare. CC-BY-SA-3.0

Family Terapontidae

Common Name Jarbua Terapon

Maximum Total

Length (cm)36

Romero-Frias, X. CC-BY-SA-3.0

Distribution Samoa

Family

Tetraodontidae

Common Name Pufferfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)31

Distribution Samoa, Vanuatu

Arothron manilensis

Randall, JE. Fishbase CC-BY-NC-3.0

Family Tetraodontidae

Common Name Narrow-Lined Puffer

Maximum Total

Length (cm)31


Islands, VanuatuDistribution

Islands, Vanuatu

David Burdick

Common Name Waspfish

Family

Tetrarogidae

Maximum Total

Length (cm)

~30, Most species less

than 15


Family

Toxotidae

Common Name Archerfish

Maximum Total Length Maximum Total Length (cm)

40


Toxotes chatareus

Family Toxotidae

Common Name Spotted Archerfish

Maximum Total Length (cm)

40

Ford GH 1878


Family

Zenarchopteridae

Common Name garfish

Maximum Total Length Maximum Total Length (cm)

19

Distribution Fiji

Zenarchopterus buffonis

Wild Singapore. Foter CC-BY-ND-2.0

Family Zenarchopteridae

Common Name Buffons Garfish

Maximum Total

Length (cm)23

FAO. Fishbase. CC-BY-NC-3.0


Zenarchopterus dispar

Family Zenarchopteridae

Common Name Feathered river-garfish

Maximum Total Length (cm)

19

Distribution Fiji

mescal fisheries survey - fish identification guide

Documents