How to Identify Fish on the Alabama Gulf Coast
- 1). Look for the black spot that exists at the bottom of the caudal fin on a red drum, also called the redfish in Alabama. You will have no problem finding this large black dot right before where the tail begins and the caudal, the fin on the upper back, ends. Red drum grows between 10 and 35 inches long and the fish has a cone-shaped head, with the adults colored a pinkish-silver hue.
- 2). Distinguish the spotted sea trout, or speckled trout, by the numerous small spots in rows on its upper back and sides. A "speck", as the Alabama natives call this fish, has silver to darker grayish-green body with fins that are a pale greenish shade. Look carefully in the mouth for two obvious canine teeth, another trait of this species, which averages between 10 and 24 inches long.
- 3). Recognize the southern flounder by its flattened body and distinct eyes and mouth. The eyes are on the upper part of the flounder and the mouth possesses sharp teeth. The "eyed" half typically will be dark to light brown and have a number of blotchy patches on it. The under parts are a dull white. This fish can sometimes grow to 30 inches long and weigh 10 lbs.
- 4). Discern a striped mullet by the apparent lines along its sides. The scales of a striped mullet have dark centers that give the fish the appearance of having parallel lines on its body, as these scales all line up in rows on the body. The adult mullet is blue-gray on its back and silvery on the sides. Striped mullets have a wide and short head along with a small mouth. This fish seldom grows larger than 15 inches.
- 5). Identify the Atlantic needlefish from its thin long frame and drawn out jaws. The needlefish may be almost 20 inches long in a large specimen and has multiple jagged teeth. The anal fins and the dorsal fins are set all the way back towards the tail, giving the needlefish the appearance of an underwater dart. A slender blue stripe on the sides and a green one on the back give you more help if you need it to recognize this Alabama coastal fish.
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