Photo Tips for Properly Identifying Your Fish for Catch a Florida Memory

Person on a boat holding a large species of fish called a Tripletail with labeled fins and lateral line; labeled parts include spiny dorsal fin, soft dorsal fin, caudal fin, lateral line, pectoral fin, pelvic fin, and anal fin.

If you plan to photograph your fish for Catch a Florida Memory, be sure to follow the tips below to minimize delays in releasing any fish you do not intend to keep and to support an efficient review of your catch submissions.

Make sure to have a plan for every fish you reel in so you know which features are most important for correct identification, especially for species that are hard to identify or are easily confused.

Be sure to clearly show as much of the fish as possible, including all fins. Taking multiple photos can help with species identification and ensure you receive full credit for any applicable recognitions. Remember – use wet hands and work quickly!

General Tips

Youth angler holding a fish on a boat with the ocean in the background.

Use good lighting limit glare and shadows.
Keep the fish in focus, avoid using Portrait mode when photographing the fish and angler(s).
Gently hold the fish, keeping fingers low on the body and off of the fins.
Rub or tickle the belly to keep fins displayed.
When uploading your photos to Catch a Florida Memory, be sure to use high resolution files.

Sharks

Aim to photograph one full side view of the entire shark and one top-down view of the head.
Full side view of the head and body, including all fins, should show:
- Tips of all fins.
- Gill slits.
- Any pattern on the tail.
Top-down view of the head should show:
- Absence or presence of a dark smudge on the tip of the snout.
- Absence or presence of a dorsal ridge. (The dorsal ridge is a raised line of flesh at the top of the back running from the 1st dorsal fin to the 2nd dorsal fin).
- Head shape.

Jacks (especially Greater, Lesser, Almaco, and Banded rudderfish)

Aim to photograph one full side view of the entire fish and one side view of the head.
Aim to photograph one full side view of the entire fish.
Full side view of the head and body, including all fins, should show:
- Slope of the lateral line and any patterns or markings on the body.
- Dorsal and anal fin color and length.
Full side view of the head should show: Shape and size of the jawbone (maxilla).

Courtesy of Mississippi State University Extension and Sea Grant Mississippi-Alabama

Comparison chart of four jack species :banded rudderfish, lesser amberjack, greater amberjack, and almaco jack ,showing full body profiles, first dorsal fin spine counts, maxilla shape and eye alignment, and relative anal-to-dorsal fin length. — Identification chart comparing banded rudderfish, lesser amberjack, greater amberjack, and almaco jack. The graphic highlights key diagnostic features including first dorsal fin spine number (7 or 8), maxilla shape and position relative to the eye, and the relative length of the anal fin compared to the dorsal fin, shown with dashed lines to aid species identification.

Mackerel and Tunas

Aim to photograph one full side view of the entire fish.
Full side view of the head and body, including all fins, should show:
- Slope of the lateral line and any patterns or markings on the body.
- Dorsal and anal fin color and length.

Flounder

Aim to photograph one top-down view of the entire fish.
Top-down view of the head and body, including all fins, should show:
- Presence of ocelli (circular markings on the body)
- Full dorsal and anal fins displayed.

Grouper, Snapper, Porgies, Grunts, and Drums

Aim to photograph one full side view of the entire fish and one side view of the head.
Full side view of the head and body, including all fins, should show:
- Any coloration or patterns on the entire fish, including scale row patterns and any markings at the base of the pectoral fin.
- Body shape and depth clearly and accurately displayed. Keep the body of the fish perpendicular to the camera to accomplish this.
- Number of spines in the dorsal fin.
- Shape of the fins.
Full side view of the head should show:
- Shape and slope of the head.
- Size and position of the jaw.
- Gill plate visible.

Person holding blackfin snapper — Blackfin snapper identification characteristics: yellow eye, distinct black spot at the base of the pectoral fin, yellow-orange fins, dark line below soft dorsal, slightly forked caudal fin, and a rounded anal fin.

Person holding red porgy — Red porgy identification characteristics: pink to silvery coloration, small blue flecks on body, deeply forked caudal fin, round rear nostril, and a rounded head profile.

Gag Identification characteristics: Pale to gray-brown coloration, irregular dark vermiculation pattern(kiss marks), serrated spur on gill plate, thin blue-white margin on fins.