Term
| Petromyzontidae Petromyzon marinus |
|
Definition
sea lamprey
Tail rounded
Jawless, single nostril |
|
|
Term
| Petromyzontidae Ichthyomyzon unicuspis |
|
Definition
silver lamprey
Jawless, single nostril
Unicupsid teeth surrounding opening |
|
|
Term
| Acipenseridae Acipenser fulvescens |
|
Definition
lake sturgeon
Snout showel-shaped, 4 large barbels on lower surface, 5 rows of bony plates on body
Heterocercal tail |
|
|
Term
| Lepisosteidae Lepisosteus osseus |
|
Definition
Longnose gar
Beaklike snout, plate like scales
Slender |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
bowfin
Snout rounded and short, gular plates, cycloid scales, long dorsal fin
Cylindrical body
Nostrils tube like |
|
|
Term
| Hiodontidae Hiodon tergisus |
|
Definition
Mooneye
Silver eye
Auxiliary process
Sleek because predator
dorsal fin way back on head |
|
|
Term
| Clupeidae Alosa psuedoharengus |
|
Definition
alewife
Adipose eyelid, pelvic axillary process, sawtooth margin on belly, scaleless head, no LL
Eye diameter greater than snout length
Superior mouth
No elongate dorsal ray |
|
|
Term
| Clupeidae Dorosoma cepedianum |
|
Definition
gizzard shad
Adipose eyelid, pelvic axillary process, sawtooth margin on belly, scaleless head, no LL
Shoulder spot
Last ray of dorsal fin elongate
Saw belly
Subterminal mouth |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Ictiobus bubalus |
|
Definition
smallmouth buffalo
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
Large eye contained fewer than 2 times in snout length
Body deep and compressed
Back ridged and highly arched anterior to dorsal fin |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Carpiodes cyprinus |
|
Definition
quillback
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
LL scales 36-40
Tip of lower lip in advance of anterial nostril
long 1st dorsal ray
compressed |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Catostomus commersonii |
|
Definition
white sucker
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
Convex between eyes (concave in Hogsucker)
Scales crowded toward head (not so in redhorses)
Young with three dark lateral blotches
small scales
V mouth |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Hypentelium nigricans |
|
Definition
northern hog sucker
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
Dark “saddles” over back extending down on sides
Concave between eyes |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Erimyzon cavifrons |
|
Definition
lake chubsucker
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
Midlateral scales 34-38 |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Minytrema melanops |
|
Definition
spotted sucker
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
Caudal peduncle elongate and shallow
Darker above lateral line |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Moxostoma anisurum |
|
Definition
silver red horse
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
Lower lip semipapillose
Dorsal rays 14-15
V shaped lip
Triangular in shape
bottom lip large |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Moxostoma duquesnei |
|
Definition
black red horse
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Moxostoma erythrurum |
|
Definition
golden red horse
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
Scales hardly becoming larger toward tail
Caudal fin olive
Tip of dorsal fin black or blackish |
|
|
Term
| Catostomidae Moxostoma macrolepidotum |
|
Definition
short head red horse
18 principal caudal fin rays, inferior mouth with fleshy lips, lack fin spines, lack adipose fin, lack barbels
Scales hardly becoming larger toward tail
Small mouth
Hind margin of lower lips straight
Straight dorsal fin
7 caudle peduncle scales |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio |
|
Definition
carp
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Long dorsal fin, rays >15
First ray in dorsal fin hard, spinous
First ray spinous in anal fin hard
Barbels at jaw angle
Barbels on upper lip
LL scales >35 |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Carassius auratus |
|
Definition
goldfish
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Deep body
Terminal mouth
No barbels
Large caudal fin |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Semotilus atromaculatus |
|
Definition
creek chub
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Brown spot at anterior base of dorsal fin
Dark caudal spot
Large mouth with toothless jaws
Scales crowded toward head |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Nocomis biguttatus |
|
Definition
hornyhead chub
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Nuptial tubercles extending from snout to occiput in breeding males
Red spot posterior to eye in life in breeding males
Base caudal fin-spot round and blackish
Caudal fin orange in young |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Rhinichthys obtusus |
|
Definition
western blackness dace
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Minute scales
Darkened scales on lower sides
Overhanging snout – but not as much as in Longnose dace
Ventral mouth
Sides rusty in breeders |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Campostoma oligolepis |
|
Definition
largescale stoneroller
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Subterminal mouth
1 dorsal fin ray |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Campostoma anomalum |
|
Definition
central stoneroller
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Lower jaw bare bar of cartilage, not covered with skin
Bead-like eye usually orange
Dark crescent across middle of dorsal fin
Lateral scattered dark scales |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Phenacobius mirabilis |
|
Definition
suckermouth minnow
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
No barbell
Inferior mouth
Lips suckerlike |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Macrhybopsis storeriana |
|
Definition
silver chub
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Slender
Short, rounded snout overhangs mouth
Large upward directed eyes
Milky white lower caudle ray |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Notropis amblops |
|
Definition
bigeye chub
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Terminal barbell
Bold lateral band continuing across snout |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Notemigonus crysoleucas |
|
Definition
golden shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Slab-sided
Adults golden in life
Oblique mouth, very nearly vertical, small
Strongly decurved (downward bowed) lateral line
Long anal fin base
Young with diffuse horizontal dusky line on middle of side of body
mouth looks like it curves up |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Cyprinella spiloptera |
|
Definition
spotfin shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Diamond shaped scales,
Black spot on last 2-3 posterior rays
8 anal rays
slightly subterminal mouth |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Luxilu cornutus |
|
Definition
common shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Exposed surface of scale on middle of side of body relatively high
(elevated) from top to bottom exposed surface of scales thus much higher than long (twice higher than wide)
predorsal scale > 16
Terminal mouth
Deep body
Dorsal fin origin over pelvic base |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Luxilus chrysocephalus |
|
Definition
striped shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Scales twice as high as wide
Predorsal scales < 13
Terminal mouth
Deep body
Dorsal fin origin over pelvic base |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Ericymba buccata |
|
Definition
silverjaw minnow
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Mouth subterminal, nearly horizontal |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Pimephales notatus |
|
Definition
bluntnose minnow
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Scales crowded toward head
Small mouth
Dark spot at base of caudal fin
Blunt nose |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Pimephales promelas |
|
Definition
fathead minnow
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Scales crowded toward head
Oblique mouth
Dark caudal spot separated from dark side-strip and quite vertical – almost a
bar like in mudminnow
Lateral line incomplete (complete in P. notatus)
Body stubby
Nuptial tubercles in males on both snout and mandible (on mandible only in
P. notatus) |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Notropis atherinoides |
|
Definition
emerald shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Slab-sided, not rounded in cross-section as rosyface shiner
No dark pigmentation characteristics
In life, emerald above with golden longitudinal stripe high on each side
Head not conical like rosyface or spotfin shiners |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Notropis photogenis |
|
Definition
silver shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Slender
Long snout with 2 black crescent nares
Large eye
Origin of dorsal fin behind pelvic fin origin |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Notropis rubellus |
|
Definition
rosyface shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Roundish in cross section
Conical head (sharply bullet shaped)
Head or males red at spawning |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Notropis stramineus |
|
Definition
sand shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Non-descript, cylindrical minnow
Anus not pigmented
Anal fin rays usually 7
Black pigment wedge in front of dorsal fin that forms line to head
Stitching down side |
|
|
Term
| Cyprinidae Notropis volucellus |
|
Definition
mimic shiner
1 dorsal fin, pectoral fin low on side, cycloid scales, no jaw teeth
Non-descript, cylindrical shiner
Black pigmented anus
Anal fin rays usually 8
Stitching down side |
|
|
Term
| Ictaluridae Ictalurus punctatus |
|
Definition
channel catfish
No sclaes, adipose fin, eight barbels, dorsal and pectoral fin spines, single dorsal fin
Unique from all other Great Lakes catfish by its forked caudal fin
Forked tail
Rounded small anal fin |
|
|
Term
| Ictaluridae Ameiurus melas |
|
Definition
black bullhead
No sclaes, adipose fin, eight barbels, dorsal and pectoral fin spines, single dorsal fin
Light treatment at base of caudal fin
Chin whiskers dusky to black
Black inter-radial membranes on pelvic and anal fins
Anal rays < 21
Truncated caudal fin ray
Baseball shaped head
Non forked caudle fin |
|
|
Term
| Ictaluridae Ameiurus natalis |
|
Definition
yellow bullhead
No sclaes, adipose fin, eight barbels, dorsal and pectoral fin spines, single dorsal fin
Chin whiskers yellow
Hind margin of adipose fin free, as in all bullheads
Anal rays >24 |
|
|
Term
| Ictaluridae Ameiurus nebulosus |
|
Definition
brown bullhead
No sclaes, adipose fin, eight barbels, dorsal and pectoral fin spines, single dorsal fin
Chin whiskers dusky
Pectoral spine with strong saw-tooth barbs on posterior margin
Anal rays > 21 |
|
|
Term
| Ictaluridae Noturus flavus |
|
Definition
stonecat
No sclaes, adipose fin, eight barbels, dorsal and pectoral fin spines, single dorsal fin
Small pale mark on dorsum at dorsal fin insertion |
|
|
Term
| Ictaluridae Noturus gyrinus |
|
Definition
tadpole madtom
No sclaes, adipose fin, eight barbels, dorsal and pectoral fin spines, single dorsal fin
Adipose adnate (connected) as in all madtoms
Body uniformly colored |
|
|
Term
| Ictaluridae Pylodictis olivaris |
|
Definition
flathead catfish
No sclaes, adipose fin, eight barbels, dorsal and pectoral fin spines, single dorsal finTiny eyes
Flat, broad head
Non forked tail |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
rainbow smelt
Dorsal fin midbody, cycloid scales, lateral line absent
Silvery, cigar-shaped fish
Adipose fin present
Well-developed teeth in jaws
long, slender
forked tail |
|
|
Term
| Salmonidae Coregonus clupeaformis |
|
Definition
lake whitefish
Small cycloid scales, adipose fin, no fin spines, pelvic fin axillary process, lateral line
Blunt snout and toothless jaws
Small mouth
Adipose fin present on silvery fish |
|
|
Term
| Salmonidae Salvelinus fontinalis |
|
Definition
brook trout
Small cycloid scales, adipose fin, no fin spines, pelvic fin axillary process, lateral line
White leading edges on paired, anal, caudal fins
Small, reddish spots laterally above pelvic fin
Worm-like markings on back
Lateral parr marks on young diffuse ventrally |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
brown trout
Small cycloid scales, adipose fin, no fin spines, pelvic fin axillary process, lateral line
Lateral reddish spots
Brown spots posterior of dorsal fin
No spots on caudal fin
Adipose without black margin as in Rainbow trout
No white leading edges on dorsal fin or paired fins as in Brook trout
Dark spots on light background
7-9 anal rays |
|
|
Term
| Salmonidae Oncorhynchus mykiss |
|
Definition
rainbow trout
Small cycloid scales, adipose fin, no fin spines, pelvic fin axillary process, lateral line
No lateral reddish spots
Sides with rainbow hues
Lateral parr marks on young well defined ventrally
Spots on head and caudal fin |
|
|
Term
| Esocidae Esox americanus vermiculatus |
|
Definition
grass pickerel
Caudal fin deeply forked, snout duck shaped with large canine teeth, branchiostegal rays 11-19 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
northern pike
Caudal fin deeply forked, snout duck shaped with large canine teeth, branchiostegal rays 11-19 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
central mudminnow
Dorsal and anal fins situated posteriorly (like in the pikes)
Cheeks and opercles both fully scaled
Dark color marking in body and fin very irregular (vermiculations—or
“worm tracks”
deep caudle peduncle
looks like he doesn't have caudle peduncle
dark bar on hyperal plate |
|
|
Term
| Percopsidae Percopsis omiscomaycus |
|
Definition
Trout-perch
Scales ctenoid, weak spines
Slender caudle peduncle
Long pointed snout
Large eye high on head
Pearl organs on lower jaw |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
burbot
Single barbel on tip of chin
Long body
Long dorsal and anal fin
Blotchy cheetah like spots |
|
|
Term
| Fundulidae Fundulus diaphanus menoa |
|
Definition
western banded killifish
Dorsal fin base almost entirely over anal fin
Mouth opening on “top” of head
Several lateral dark bars (zebra-like markings) |
|
|
Term
| Fundulidae Fundulus notatus |
|
Definition
blackstipe topminnow
Dorsal fin base almost entirely over anal fin
Mouth opening on “top” of head
Pronounced black stripe on sides of body from snout to caudal fin |
|
|
Term
| Atherinopsidae Labidesthes sicculus |
|
Definition
brook silverside
Minute first dorsal fin
Greatly streamlined
Very transparent in life
Anal spine single, eye near middle of hear
narrow snout, yellow, silver stripe |
|
|
Term
| Moronidae Morone americana |
|
Definition
white perch
Dorsal fin separated by deep notch, margin of peropercle saw-toothed
Deep body
Large mouth
V shape head
non continuous bars on side |
|
|
Term
| Moronidae Morone chrysops |
|
Definition
white bass
Dorsal fin separated by deep notch, margin of peropercle saw-toothed
Deep body
Body strongly arched
Caudal fin indents slightly
square body
continuous bars on side |
|
|
Term
| Percidae Perca flavescens |
|
Definition
yellow perch
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scales
Two dorsal fins
Body with 6-8 vertical dark-stripe markings (“rings”)
Black spot base of dorsal fin
Tiger stripes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
walleye
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scales
Two dorsals
Large eyes high on sides of head
Canine teeth very evident (unless broken)
Dark blotch posterior base of first dorsal
Elongate, deep body
Long pointed snout
slender body, oval shaped |
|
|
Term
| Percidae Percina maculata |
|
Definition
blackside darter
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scales
Single median caudal spot at base of caudle peduncle
Teardrop stongly developed
Spinous dorsal fin with a black basal spot |
|
|
Term
| Percidae Percina caprodes caprodes |
|
Definition
ohio logperch
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scale
Zebra-like dark marking on sides of body
slender, pointed face
dorsal fin long, most of top of of body |
|
|
Term
| Percidae Etheostoma nigrum |
|
Definition
johny darter
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scales
Small more or less “W”-shaped markings along middle of side of body |
|
|
Term
| Percidae Etheostoma blennioides |
|
Definition
greenside darter
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scales
Row of more or less confluent dark arches sometimes broken into “V’s”
along side of body
Blunt snout profile
U shaped spots |
|
|
Term
| Percidae Etheostoma caeruleum |
|
Definition
rainbow darter
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scales
Trident-shaped black lateral spots at base of caudal fin
Breeding males most highly colored of all Great Lakes fishes |
|
|
Term
| Percidae Etheostoma spectabile |
|
Definition
orangethroat darter
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scales
Deep lateral compressed body
Snout rounded with terminal mouth
Breast unscaled
Eye large |
|
|
Term
| Percidae Etheostoma flabellare |
|
Definition
fantail darter
2 dorsal fins, pelvic fin thoracic, ctenoid scales
Two dorsal fins
Fleshy knobs at tips of dorsal fin spines, especially in males
vertical marks on caudle fin |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Micropterus dolomieu |
|
Definition
smallmouth bass
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Single dorsal, only shallowly notched
Eyes extending behind jaw
Predominantly vertical dark marks on sides
Dark caudal band in young
Tricolored caudle fin
bars longer than wide, not connected |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Micropterus salmoides |
|
Definition
largemouth bass
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Single dorsal, deeply notched, appears as if two
Jaw extending behind eye
Lateral color pattern predominantly a dark stripe
bars connected |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Ambloplites rupestris |
|
Definition
rock bass
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Single dorsal fin with spines and soft rays
Six anal fin spines
Brownish overall with spots
Usually red eyes
spots square shaped |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Lepomis cyanellus |
|
Definition
green sunfish
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Single dorsal fin with spines and soft rays, posterior dusky spot in males
Green coloration
No red spot on opercle
Pectoral fin rounded –distinctive among Great Lakes sunfish
Large mouth
Short gill rakers
black on insertion of dorsal ray |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Lepomis peltastes |
|
Definition
northern longer sunfish
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Single dorsal fin with spines and soft rays
Red horse-shoe rim on opercle edge with white on posterior margin
Small mouth
Bone and membrane of ear flap elongated |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Lepomis megalotis |
|
Definition
longear sunfish
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Single dorsal fin with spines and soft rays
Red horse-shoe rim on edge of opercle (white when preserved)
Small mouth
Bone and membrane of ear flap elongated(narrow) |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Lepomis gibbosus |
|
Definition
pumpkinseed
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Single dorsal fin with spines and soft rays
Red spot on opercle (white on preserved specimens)
Pointed pectoral fin
Small mouth
Vertical row of dark spots between vertical dark bars on sides
Extremity of opercular bone (not flap) giving a click when flipped with a
dissecting needle |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Lepomis macrochirus |
|
Definition
bluegill
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Dark spot at posterior base of dorsal and anal fins
No red on opercle
Pointed pectoral
Small mouth
Extremity of opercular bone soft, not giving a click when flipped with a
dissecting needle
stripes on side |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Lepomis humilis |
|
Definition
orangespotted sunfish
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Deep, laterally compressed body
Long snout, large mouth
Short, rounded pectoral fin
Pectoral fin rays 14
white around round operable |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Promoxis nigromaculatus |
|
Definition
black crappie
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Dorsal spines usually 7 or 8
Dark color pattern – irregularly speckled
Profile not “dished” at top of head
Dorsal fin base length equal to distance to middle of eye
symmetrical dorsal and anal rays |
|
|
Term
| Centrarchidae Promoxis annularis |
|
Definition
white crappie
Dorsal fins well connected, margin of pereopercle smooth, pectoral fin high on body
Single dorsal fin with spines and soft rays
Six dorsal spines (7 or 8 in Black crappie)
Vertical dark bars on sides (more or less ringing the fish)
Profile”dished” at top of head
Dorsal fin base length not reaching to eye
symmetrical dorsal and anal rays |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
mottled sculpin
Pelvic fin with one thin spine and 3-5 soft rays, anal fin spines absent, pelvic fin is suction cup
Large pectoral fins
Prominent flattened head – especially when viewed from above |
|
|
Term
| Gobiidae Neogobius melanostoma |
|
Definition
round goby
Pelvic spine with suction cup
Pelvic fins fused into a single suction cup
Large black spot at base of dorsal fin and shoulder
Prominent flattened head – not as wide as sculpin |
|
|
Term
| Gobiidae Proterorhinus semilunaris |
|
Definition
tubenose goby
Pelvic spine with suction cup
Tubes on nose |
|
|
Term
| Gasterosteidae Culaea inconstans |
|
Definition
brook stickleback
Five or six isolated single spine finlets on back
Pelvic a single spine
Caudal peduncle very slender
3-11 dorsal spines that are not connected, pelvic fin is single spine |
|
|
Term
| Sciaenidae Aplodinotus grunniens |
|
Definition
freshwater drum
Dorsal fin soft rays >24, caudal din bluntly pointed, central rays moderately elongated
Blunt snout
Lateral line extrends across caudal fin (unique feature) |
|
|
