mescal fisheries survey - fish identification guide
TRANSCRIPT
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Mangrove Ecosystems for
Climate Change
Adaptation and Livelihoods
MESCAL Fisheries Surveys:MESCAL Fisheries Surveys:
Fish identification guide
Marcus Sheaves, Ross Johnston &
Carlo Mattone
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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.
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Common Name Surgeonfish
Family
Acanthuridae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)
100 (most much
smaller)
Distribution Solomon Islands
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Common Name Cardinalfish
Family
Apogonidae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)20
Distribution Fiji, Vanuatu
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Apogon amboinensis
Family Apogonidae
Common Name Amboina Cardinalfish
Maximum Total Length
(cm)7
Distribution Vanuatu
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Apogon hyalosoma
Randall, JE. Fishbase CC-BY-NC-3.0
Family Apogonidae
Common NameHumpbacked
Cardinalfish
Maximum Total Length
(cm)17
Distribution Solomon Islands
-
Common Name Silversides
Family
Atherinidae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)60
Distribution Solomon Islands
-
Atherinomorus endrachtensis
Randall, JE. CC-BY-NC-3.0
Common NameEendracht Land
Silverside
Maximum Total Length
(cm)9
Distribution Vanuatu
-
Common Name Needlefish
Family
Belonidae
Common Name Needlefish
Maximum Total
Length (cm)150
Distribution Vanuatu
-
Strongylura spp.
Family Belonidae
Common
NameNeedlefish, Longtom
Maximum Maximum
Total Length
(cm)
100
Distribution Vanuatu
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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
Distribution Vanuatu
-
Common Name Trevally
Family
Carangidae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)170
Distribution Fiji, Vanuatu
-
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
Distribution Solomon Islands
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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
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Scomberoides spp.
Family Carangidae
Common Name Queenfish
Maximum Total
Length (cm)60-120cm
Distribution Vanuatu
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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
Distribution Vanuatu
-
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
Maximum Total Length
(cm)25
Distribution Fiji, Vanuatu
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Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus
Family Clupeidae
Common Name Bluestripe Herring
Maximum Total
Length (cm)25
Winterbottom, R. Fishwise Professional CC-BY-NC-SA-3.0
Distribution Vanuatu
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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
Distribution Vanuatu
-
Common Name Gudgeon
Family
Eleotridae
Common Name Gudgeon
Maximum Total Length
(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
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Ophiocara porocephala
BIO Photography Group. Biodiversity institute of Ontarion. CC-BY-SA
Family Eleotridae
Common Name Northern Mud Gudgeon
Maximum Total
Length (cm)34
Distribution Solomon Islands
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Common Name Anchovies
Family
Engraulidae
Maximum Total Length
(cm)30
Distribution Vanuatu
-
Stolephorus spp.
Family Engraulidae
Common Name Anchovy
Maximum Total
Length (cm)15
Length (cm)
Distribution Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
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Stolephorus indicus
Family Engraulidae
Common Name Indian anchovy
Maximum Total
Length (cm)15.5
Length (cm)
Distribution Fiji
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Thryssa spp.
Family Engraulidae
Common
NameAnchovy
Maximum Total
Length (cm)~30cm. Most 10-15cm
Distribution Solomon Islands
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Common Name Silver biddies
Maximum Total Length
Family
Gerreidae
Maximum Total Length
(cm)
Distribution Fiji, Vanuatu
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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
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Acentrogobius nebulosus
Family Gobiidae
Common Name Shadow Goby
Maximum Total
Length (cm)18
Distribution Samoa, Solomon Islands
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Common Name Sweetlips
Family
Haemulidae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)100
Distribution Fiji
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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
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Common Name Squirrelfish
Family
Holocentridae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)32
Distribution Vanuatu
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Neoniphon sammara
David Burdick
Family Holocentridae
Common Name Sammara squirrelfish
Maximum Total
Length (cm)32
Length (cm)
Distribution Vanuatu
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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
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Family
Labridae
Common Name Wrasse
Maximum Total
Length (cm)120
Distribution Vanuatu
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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
Distribution Vanuatu
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Common Name False trevally
Family
Lactariidae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)40
Distribution Fiji
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Lactarius lactarius
Family Lactariidae
Common Name False trevally
Maximum Total
Length (cm)40
Distribution Fiji
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Family
Leiognathidae
Common Name Striped Ponyfish
Maximum Total
Length (cm)21
DistributionFiji, Solomon Islands,
Tonga
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Aurigequula fasciata
Family Leiognathidae
Common Name Striped Ponyfish
Maximum Total
Length (cm)21
Distribution Fiji
-
Eubleekeria splendens
Family Leiognathidae
Common Name Splendid Ponyfish
Maximum Total
Length (cm)17
Distribution Fiji
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Gazza minuta
Family Leiognathidae
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
Family Leiognathidae
Common Name Common Ponyfish
Maximum Total
Length (cm)28
Fiji, Solomon Islands,
FAO 2013 CC-BY-3.0
DistributionFiji, Solomon Islands,
Tonga
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Family
Lethrinidae
Common Name Emperor
Maximum Total Maximum Total
Length (cm)50
Distribution Tonga, Vanuatu
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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
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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
Distribution Tonga, Vanuatu
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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
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Family
Lutjanidae
Common Name Snapper
Maximum Total
Length (cm)150
Distribution Fiji, Samoa
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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
DistributionFiji, Samoa, Solomon
Islands
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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
P. Asman and J. Lenoble. Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0
DistributionFiji, Solomon Islands,
Vanuatu
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Lutjanus maxweberi
Family Lutjanidae
Common Name Pygmy Snapper
Maximum Total
Length (cm)15
R. Cada from Fishbase
P. Asman and J. Lenoble. Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0
Distribution Solomon Islands
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Lutjanus russellii
Family Lutjanidae
Common Name Russells Snapper
Maximum Total
Length (cm)50
R. Cada from Fishbase
P. Asman and J. Lenoble. Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0
Distribution Fiji
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Family
Megalopidae
Common Name Tarpon
Maximum Total
Length (cm)150
Distribution Fiji
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Megalops cyprinoides
Family Megalopidae
Common Name Indo-Pacific tarpon
Maximum Total
Length (cm)150
R. Cada from Fishbase
P. Asman and J. Lenoble. Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0
Distribution Fiji
-
Family
Mugilidae
Common Name Mullet
Maximum Total
Length (cm)70
Distribution Tonga, Vanuatu
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Chelon subviridis
Family Mugilidae
Common Name Greenback mullet
Maximum Total
Length (cm)40
Distribution Solomon Islands
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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
Distribution Vanuatu
-
Family
Mullidae
Common Name Goatfish
Maximum Total
Length (cm)43
Distribution Vanuatu
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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
Distribution Vanuatu
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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
Distribution Solomon Islands
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Monodactylus argenteus
Family Monodactylidae
Common
NameSilver Batfish
Maximum
Total Length
(cm)
27Haplochromis
Shears LT. CC-BY_SA-3.0
Distribution Solomon Islands
-
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
Distribution Tonga, Vanuatu
-
Sphyraena barracuda
Larry Basch
Family Sphyraenidae
Common
NameGreat Barracuda
Maximum
Total Length
(cm)
200
Laban712
Distribution Vanuatu
-
Sphyraena qenie
Family Sphyraenidae
Common
NameBlackfin barracuda
Maximum
Total Length
(cm)
170
Distribution Fiji
-
Common
NameSeahorses, Pipefishes
Family
Sygnathidae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)60
Distribution Fiji, Vanuatu
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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
Distribution Vanuatu
-
Family
Terapontidae
Common Name Perch
Maximum Total
Length (cm)36
Distribution Fiji, Samoa
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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
DistributionFiji, Samoa, Solomon
Islands, VanuatuDistribution
Islands, Vanuatu
David Burdick
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Common Name Waspfish
Family
Tetrarogidae
Maximum Total
Length (cm)
~30, Most species less
than 15
Distribution Solomon Islands
-
Family
Toxotidae
Common Name Archerfish
Maximum Total Length Maximum Total Length (cm)
40
Distribution Solomon Islands
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Toxotes chatareus
Family Toxotidae
Common Name Spotted Archerfish
Maximum Total Length (cm)
40
Ford GH 1878
Distribution Solomon Islands
-
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
Distribution Solomon Islands
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Zenarchopterus dispar
Family Zenarchopteridae
Common Name Feathered river-garfish
Maximum Total Length (cm)
19
Distribution Fiji