Texas Saltwater Fish Identification

Bull sharks can be found swimming of the shores of Texas

With hundreds of miles of coastline in Texas there is certainly no shortage of fish. For a fisherman, identification can be critical; some of the fish found off the shores of Texas are federally protected.

Inshore or Offshore

One of the easiest ways to identify a fish is by its habitat. While many of Texas' fish spend time both offshore and inshore, knowing where they are predominately found can help in identification. Pigfish, for example, are predominately found inshore in banks and bays and silk snappers are found offshore near rock ledges in very deep waters.

Important Characteristics

Descriptive characteristics, such as body markings or fin types can be easy ways to quickly identify a fish. Knowing which fish look alike and how to differentiate them can also be helpful. Finally, size can also be an indicator of species. Length, girth, and weight can all be useful tools in identification. A dog snapper, for example, is brownish-bronze in color with visibly sharp canines.

Endangered or Threatened

Knowing which fish are endangered or threatened is important. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, there are four endangered or threatened coastal fish, the smalltooth sawfish, opossum pipefish, the river goby and the Mexican goby.

References

• Texas Gulf Coast Fishing: Fish Identification
• Texas Parks and Wildlife: Endangered and Threatened Fish in Texas and the United States