Nurse Shark Ginglymostoma cirratum These bottom dwelling sharks are usually yellowish-tan to dark brown and, as adults, average around 7.5 to 8 feet long and over 200 pounds (Rosa et al. 2006). They are nocturnal, scouting the sea bottom for crustaceans, mollusks and stingrays during the nig
Ginglymostoma cirratum Discover Fishes Fish
Smalltooth Sawfish Pristis pectinata The sawfish derives its name from its elongated, blade-like snout, that is studded with „teeth“. While they look similar to sharks, they are actually highly derived rays. The smalltooth sawfish is one of five species of sawfishes found worldwide. Historic
Fishes Pristis pectinata Discover Fishes Fish
Porbeagle Lamna nasus This shark closely resembles the white and salmon sharks, but it is easy to identify the white or light gray free rear tip of its dorsal fin. It has the classic mackerel shark appearance, from its conical snout to its crescent caudal (tail) fin, and the dark grey colori
Discover Fishes Lamna nasus Discover Fishes Fish
Bigeye Sixgill Shark Hexanchus nakamurai This slender deep-water shark has a small dorsal fin far along its back, large reflective green eyes, and six gill slits rather than the usual five that most sharks have. It is usually dark to light gray on top, fading to white underneath, and usually
Fishes Hexanchus nakamurai Discover Fishes Fish
Bronze Whaler Shark Carcharhinus brachyurus This shark gets its name from its bronzy-grey to olive-green coloring. It is the only species of requiem shark in the genus Carcharhinus that lives in temperate rather than tropical waters. They occur throughout the world but the distribution is pa
Carcharhinus brachyurus Discover Fishes Fish
Cownose Ray Rhinoptera bonasus This unique ray is dark brown to golden brown on top, and white below, with a stout body and triangular ‚wings‘. The distinct lobes on the front edge give it the name cownose, and the long sturdy tail has one or two serrated spines with mild venom. Their tile-l
Fishes Rhinoptera bonasus Discover Fishes Fish
Dwarf Sawfish Pristis clavata Although sawfish look like sharks, they are actually highly modified rays. The rostral ‚teeth‘ are specialized denticles. The dwarf sawfish is the smallest sawfish species, reaching 3.1 m (10 ft). Very little is known about its behavior. Order – Rhinopristiform
Fishes Pristis clavata Discover Fishes Fish
Oceanic Whitetip Shark Carcharhinus longimanus This large shark is readily recognized by its long white-tipped paddle-like pectoral fins and rounded first dorsal fin (Compagno et al. 2005). Solitary and slow moving, it prefers the upper layers of deep-water areas, where it is an opportunisti
Carcharhinus longimanus Discover Fishes Fish
Smooth Hammerhead Sphyrna zygaena This coastal shark prefers shallow waters, and are reported to even venture in freshwater. Sporting a wide and smooth cephalophoil or „hammerhead“ this seasonal migrant is the second largest in the genus Sphyrna. Order – Carcharhiniformes Family – Sphyrnid
Fishes Sphyrna zygaena Discover Fishes Fish
Longfin Mako Isurus paucus Named for its decidedly long and rounded pectoral fins, little is known about the life and habits of this slender relative of the shortfin mako and white shark. Order – Lamniformes Family – Lamnidae Genus – Isurus Species – paucus Common Names English: lo
Fishes in the Fresh Waters of Florida Gallery Fish
