Anyone know what this is?
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Anyone know what this is?
I looked around and -- I don't have a clue what it is!
When I was a kid, I used to watch either that fish or something very similar to it sort of climb around on pilings at a dock on the south side of old river. I managed to catch some in a dip net and kept them in my saltwater aquarium. I never did find out for sure what they are. Maybe a type of cusk? https://www.google.com/search?q=cusk...=juvenile+cusk
I agree with pierless I believe it to be a blotched cusk eel.
Leopard cusk eel?
Yep either a cusk or hake. I will check my id book tomorrow. Where was it caught?
My brother sent me the picture while walking the beach in Pensacola. He said the water was sorta murky.
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4434&stc=1sorry I got off track here is a pic of a blotched cusk eel.
sorry double post
hard to tell in the pic but if it has a spot behind the upper gill plate that is darker than all the other spots it could be the polka dot cusk eel.
but looking at the anal fin since it is dark I am leaning toward it being the blotched.
No doubt in my mind, Gnomepunter is right. It is a blotched cusk eel. I've caught these before on the bottom with a tiny hook and dead shrimp usually fishing for bait. They generally live in deeper water but like everything else are seen in the shallows off the pier on occasion. They are bottom feeders as well.
Yep, blotched Cusk Eel.
Ophidion grayi
Ophidion grayi, Blotched cusk-eel
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlF
According to some, you're not suppose to use the internet when it comes to looking up information about fish! What's wrong with you Carl? GET WITH THE PROGRAM!!!! LOL
I call that bait.:-)
I used Peterson's Field Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes first, then got onto he computer! So I am OK!Quote:
Originally Posted by the_reel_doc
Carl, is Peterson's guide better than Shipp's?
Maybe I could just 'Google' that, huh? lol
Thanks for the quick ID guys!
David, unfortunately, I don't have Shipp's book (I gotta be careful admitting that, its probably a punishable offense for biologist on the Gulf coast not to have one).
I really like the Petersons Guide. I have Eastern Birds, Atlantic Coast Fishes, North American Freshwater Fishes, Insects, Eastern Trees and Eastern Reptiles & Amphibeans. I've had them for at least 20 years, Love them all.
Carl; Does Peterson have a Gulf Coast fishes book?Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlF
The guide that covers the Gulf is the Atlantic Coast Fishes Guide.