Species Identification

Photo credit - Michael O'Neill

Photo credit - Michael Zambardino

One of the most commonly found tropical species, these quick to hide butterflyfish may appear as just a flash of yellow before darting to the nearest hiding place.  Photo credit: Brian Weber

Known for their distinctive false eye-spot at the base of their tail, Foureye Butterflyfish also commonly display dark gray vertical bands as juveniles. Bonus points if you spot the juvenile trunkfish in this photo as well!  Photo credit: Maria Mitchell Association

Similar in appearance to Spotfin Butterflyfish, but far less-commonly reported, Reef Butterflyfish have a distinctive vertical black band at the base of the caudal fin.

Often observed orienting with seagrass beds, these relatives of seahorses and trumpetfish are typically 6-10" in length when sighted in the NW Atlantic. The can grow to several feet in length as adults! Photo credit - Alex Shure

With a facial expression most anyone could love, Short Bigeyes can be found just 1-2" in length as GSO's.  Distinguished from Glasseye or Bigeye snappers, they have extremely short bodies from mouth to tail making their profile almost circular. Photo Credit: Brian Weber

Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

Photo credit - Michael Zambardino

These adorable members of the boxfish family might be hard to find when diving in the Northeast.  Sometimes only the size of a bean, these animals tend to reside in seagrass beds.

A member of the tang family, Doctorfish are very close in appearance to Ocean Surgeonfish. The notable difference being faint vertical bars along the sides of the body.

The Flying Gurnard is famous for magnificent pectoral fins with vibrant blue coloration. Photo Credit: Brian Weber

Masters of disguise and defense, these fish camoflauge well and pack a powerful punch due to venomous spines. Photo credit: The Virginia Living Museum

A member of the frogfish family (Antennariidae) and the anglerfish order (Lophiiformes), these fish perch in floating Sargassum  seaweed waiting for their prey.  These floating mats of seaweed originate in the subtropical Atlantic and occasionally reach New England waters.

Photo credit - Michael Zambardino

Photo credit - Lindsay Phenix & Chris Bauernfeind

Photo credit - Michael Zambardino

Photo credit - Michael Zambardino

Gag grouper are one of several species found as juveniles through the Gulf Stream Orphan phenomenon. These species can be hard to identify in their post-larval and juvenile phases due to drastic color and pattern variations.

Photo: Mary McCarthy, Virginia Aquarium

Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

One of a handful of grouper species that can become Gulf Stream Orphans, Snowy Groupers stick out in a crowd thanks to distinct white spots. Photo credit: Maria Mitchell Association

Photo credit - Michael Zambardino

While native to the southeastern US and Caribbean as adults, Dwarf Goatfish have been spotted in New England waters due to the Gulf Stream and their pelagic juvenile stage.

Photo: Mike McDevitt

A member of the fast-moving jack family Carangidae, these fish can grow up to several feet. When seen along the New England coast as GSO's these fish are only a few inches in length.

Another member of the jack family, the Florida Pompano is often confused with the Permit, particularly as juveniles.  Pompano generally exhibit a more elongated body compared to permit. Photo credit: Michael O'Neill

Commonly confused with pilotfish, the banded rudderfish exhibits similar bold bands as juveniles that fade as the fish matures. Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

Photo credit - Drew Ruiz

A common coastal and estuarine species, Atlantic Needlefish are commonly reported up and down the east coast of North America in seasonally warm waters. Based on their distribution this species is generally considered not a "true" GSO, since much of their distribution is independent of Gulf Stream dispersal. Photo credit - Michael Zambardino

A close relative of the Lookdown, Selene vomer, the Atlantic Moonfish has a more deeply curved ventrum (belly). This species is relatively commonly found as juveniles (approximately 1-2”TL) in the summer months.

Photo credit: Center for Coastal Studies

Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

Known for their metallic shimmer and distinctive face, Lookdowns are another member of the jack family, Caragidae that can be found in shallow waters along the East Coast of the U.S. As juveniles, this species has long ribbon-like fins.

Photo credit - Dave Remsen

Northern Sennet are a member of the barracuda family. One of the more common seasonal visitors to the Northeastern U.S. during warmer months.

Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

Photo credit - Drew Ruiz

Photo credit - Michael Zambardino

Often reported as adults in New England during the summer months, this seasonal visitor from more temperate latitudes is likely not a “true” Gulf Stream Orphan. It is likely that this species is merely visiting New England at the top of their geographic range rather than a wayward tropical species that is completely displaced from its native range. Photo Credit - Michael Zambardino

Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

Photo credit - Alex Shure

A common resident of coastal ecosystems in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, Striped Burrfish are generally not considered a "true" GSO since they seasonally creep northward rather than relying on the Gulf Stream for dispersal. Photo credit - Neil DeMaster

Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

Photo credit - Aidan Perkins

Photo credit - Drew Ruiz