Go Fishing with Us and See if You Can Identify All the Fish You Catch!

By: J.P. Naomi
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Go Fishing with Us and See if You Can Identify All the Fish You Catch!
Image: By UnknownUnknown author (NOAA FishWatch (see Gallery)), via Wikimedia Commons // By Brian Gratwicke, via Wikimedia Commons // By OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP), via Wikimedia Commons // By Brian.gratwicke, from Wikimedia Commons

About This Quiz

Calling all captains! Grab your 1st decks and let's head out to sea! It's time to see how well you can name some of the most south-after fish! And if you're gonna be a Barney, you may as well stay home. We're lookin' for some mighty fresh ones today! Are you up for the challenge? 

Ahhh, there sure ain't anything better than waking up before dawn, grabbing that cup of joe and heading out to the port. Onto the boat you go, and before you know it, you're cruisin' 30 miles per hour out from the shore to that hot spot... the place where you'll find the big ones! The bluefins, the sailfish, the yellowfins! You've been waiting for this moment; you want that photo finish! You know what we're talking about... that photo where you hold the fish up in glory after the end of a long day out on the water! Well, if that sounds like you, we promise you'll love this quiz! So what do you say? Think you have enough experience to name them all correctly? 

Come on now, don't be a chummer! Let's get this boat in motion and see what you've got! Good luck and remember, only true fishermen need apply!

Blue Marlin
n/a
You call yourself a fisherman? Which fish is this?
Blackfin Tuna
Blue Marlin
Sport fishermen first encountered blue marlin in the Bahamas in the 1920s and early 1930s. They have since become one of the world's greatest game fishes, developing into a multimillion-dollar industry.
Striped Bass
Dogtooth Tuna

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King Mackerel
By Stephen Ewen, from Wikimedia Commons
The fish seen in this photo is a _______.
King Mackerel
Holy Mackerel! Known widely as just "kingfish," these fish are found from the mid-Atlantic through the Gulf and the Caribbean down to Brazil. Commonly 10-30 pounds, the all-tackle record is 93 pounds caught near San Juan, Puerto Rico!
Mako Shark
White Marlin
Bluefin Tuna

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Bluefin Tuna
Wiki commons
Which fish is seen here?
Bluefin Tuna
The largest bluefin are found in summer and fall off Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The world-record bluefin has remained unbroken since 1979, when Ken Fraser caught his 1,496-pounder off Nova Scotia!
Permit
Striped Marlin
Tarpon

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White Marlin
By dominic sherony, via Wikimedia Commons
This is a __________.
Blacktip Shark
Pacific Snook
White Marlin
Did you know that white marlins are the smallest of the Atlantic marlins? They weigh between 50-70 pounds, but the largest on record was 181 pounds - caught off the coast of Vitoria, Brazil!
Thresher Shark

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Swordfish
By Xiphias_gladius.jpg: Derke Snodgrass, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC/SFDderivative work: Haplochromis (Xiphias_gladius.jpg), via Wikimedia Commons
Its name doesn't lie... which fish is this?
Swordfish
Swordfish are found around the world in tropical and temperate seas. They love to bask at the surface of the sea, particularly in the waters off of Southern California. The world-record 1,182-pound swordfish came from the waters off Chile in 1953.
Wahoo
King Mackerel
Roosterfish

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Red Drum
By Geeklikepi, from Wikimedia Commons
Name this fish...
Roosterfish
Blue Marlin
Mako Shark
Red Drum
Redfish are readily available from the westernmost Gulf of Mexico to the mid-Atlantic states. They are quick to strike bait, lures, and flies, the largest of which was recorded near North Carolina at 94 pounds, 2 ounces!

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Chinook Salmon
n/a
Name the fish seen in this photo...
Barramundi
Chinook Salmon
Also known as King salmon, the Chinook salmon are the largest of the six Pacific salmon species. They are one of the world's most valuable species both commercially and recreationally - ranging from central California to northern Alaska.
Tripletail
King Mackerel

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Mako Shark
Wiki commons
How about this one?
Mako Shark
The mako shark is regarded as the fastest shark. It can turn on a dime and also can jump... more than 20 feet into the air! The all-tackle record mako was caught in 2001 off the coast of Massachusetts and weighed 1,221 pounds.
Cobia
Red Drum
White Sturgeon

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Black Marlin
TheSaltWave via youtube
You must know this one!
White Sturgeon
Barramundi
Black Marlin
Black marlins are found only in the Pacific and Indian oceans. They are known to prowl shallow banks and near-coastal waters. The largest black marlin caught to date was recorded in 1953 in Cabo Blanco, Peru!
Cobia

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Atlantic Sailfish
By Rich Gasparian (Rgaspari at en.wikipedia), via Wikimedia Commons
The ________ is seen here.
Thresher Shark
Atlantic Sailfish
What can we say, Atlantic sailfish are easy to catch! They are known to readily take bait and not only that, but their good looks make for a great photo op when the day is done!
Coho Salmon
Permit

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Coho Salmon
n/a
And how about this fish?
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon are more abundant than Chinook salmon, and they qualify as one of the world’s great light-tackle gamesters. The all-tackle record came from the Salmon River in New York in 1989, weighing 33 pounds, 4 ounces.
King Mackerel
Cobia
Albacore

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Striped Marlin
By Kate Crandell (originally posted to Flickr as IMG_1958), via Wikimedia Commons
We're sure you'll get this one too...
Cobia
Giant Trevally
Dogtooth Tuna
Striped Marlin
Striped marlin is found mainly off of southeastern Baja each fall. If you're looking for really big ones, though, head to New Zealand where the 494-pound world record striped was found in 1986!

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Barramundi
Ginkgo100 at the English language Wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons
You know this one...
Blacktip Shark
Mako Shark
Barramundi
Barra, as they are called for short, are found around the upper half of Australia and north through much of tropical Asia. In Australia, they are the number one inshore game fish.
Striped Marlin

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Thresher Shark
shutterstock
This fish is called a ________.
Thresher Shark
The all-tackle world-record thresher was caught out of Bay of Islands in northern New Zealand in 1983. This shark weighed 767 pounds, 3 ounces!
Swordfish
Roosterfish
Giant Trevally

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Blacktip Reef Shark
shutterstock
Think you know this one?
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip sharks are found around the globe in tropical and temperate waters. They live anywhere from muddy waters to clear coral reefs! The largest one caught on record was 270 pounds and 9 ounces near Malindi Bay in Kenya.
White Marlin
Tripletail
Red Drum

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Roosterfish
By Carol Neuhoff (originally posted to Flickr as Nix roosterfish), via Wikimedia Commons
Wish you could catch one of these? Name it first!
Leerfish
Red Drum
Barramundi
Roosterfish
Roosters are unique to the eastern Pacific, where they are caught from Baja into northern South America. They can put up a fight once they are hooked... but for fishermen, that's part of the excitement!

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Wahoo
By NOAA, via Wikimedia Commons
What about this one?
Wahoo
Did you know that Wahoo were built for speed? Many anglers believe that they are the fastest fish in the sea! Their average speed is 48 miles per hour!
Striped Marlin
Atlantic Sailfish
Bluefin Tuna

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Bonefish
By Brian Gratwicke, via Wikimedia Commons
What is the name of this fish?
Giant Trevally
Bonefish
Did you know that bonefish are one of the most coveted trophies by anglers who fish in the flats? Both the Caribbean and the Florida Keys are the places to be when fishing for bonefish!
Mahimahi
White Marlin

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Opah
By Unknown (NOAA Fisheries), via Wikimedia Commons
What is the name of this fish?
Wahoo
White Marlin
Mako Shark
Opah
Opah are found worldwide in tropical to temperate waters and are occasionally caught in the Hawaiian Islands, as well as off California and Baja. They have orange flesh and are renowned for eating as well!

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Yellowfin Tuna
By OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP), via Wikimedia Commons
How about the one seen in this photo...
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna are very popular across the world! Did you know that in 2010, 558,761 metric tons of yellowfin tuna were caught in the western and central Pacific Ocean?!
Dogtooth Tuna
Talang Queenfish
California Yellowtail

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California Yellowtail
WARBAITS FISHING via youtube
Recognize this fish?
Atlantic Snook
California Yellowtail
Did you know that California yellowtail are typically 15-30 pounds? Try telling that to the all-tackle record holder who caught one in 2009 off of the coast of Japan... that one weighed in at 109 pounds, 2 ounces!
Coho Salmon
Chinook Salmon

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Giant Trevally
By Docjtc, from Wikimedia Commons
If you can name this one, we'll be really impressed!
Tarpon
Pacific Snook
Blacktip Shark
Giant Trevally
Giant trevally, or GT for short are known for being one of the most challenging fish to reel in! They are found predominantly in the western tropical Pacific and Indian oceans.

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Striped Bass
n/a
One more, which fish is this?
Thresher Shark
Dogtooth Tuna
Striped Bass
Striper is one of the few "all-American" game fish! They are widely important to the industry along the eastern coast of the United States from Maine down to Florida!
Opah

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Leerfish
By Sally-Jean Rush (Watercolour painting owned by uploader), via Wikimedia Commons
Last one, don't let us down!
Opah
Thresher Shark
Striped Bass
Leerfish
Leerfish is found solely in the Mediterranean and tropical eastern Atlantic ocean. They migrate seasonally and are known for their stamina and fight once hooked!

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Lake Sturgeon
shutterstock
Can you name the fish seen in this photo?
Mako Shark
Pacific Sailfish
White Sturgeon
The interesting anatomy of these fish tend to make hooking them a challenge! They do love crustaceans though, so that's your best bet if you're heading out to tackle one!
Roosterfish

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Dogtooth Tuna
By Tchami (Dogtooth Tuna), via Wikimedia Commons
How about this one?
Dogtooth Tuna
The dogtooth tuna gets its name from its mouthful of dagger-like teeth! They are found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, the largest being found near Tanzania in 2015... 236 pounds, 15 ounces!
Chinook Salmon
Spearfish
Wahoo

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Permit
By Brian.gratwicke, from Wikimedia Commons
This is a ______.
California Yellowtail
Permit
Permit are a favorite target of fly-fishermen. If you're looking to catch one, you might consider a live crab or half-crab for bait... permit love to eat crustaceans!
Striped Bass
Leerfish

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Albacore
By UnknownUnknown author (NOAA FishWatch (see Gallery)), via Wikimedia Commons
This one you must know...
Spearfish
Pacific Sailfish
Albacore
Albacore are sometimes referred to as "longfin tuna". They are marketed commercially for their very white flesh and can be found in sandwiches across America every day!
Swordfish

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Mahimahi
By Qbx101, from Wikimedia Commons
Recognize this delicious fish?
Dogtooth Tuna
King Mackerel
Mahimahi
Mahimahi is considered one of the most popular offshore game fish, as well as one of the most popular table fare! These fish eat non-stop and grow up to 18 inches each year. The all-tackle-record 87-pounder was taken off Papagallo, Costa Rica, in 1976.
Wahoo

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Tarpon
David Starr Jordan, via Wikimedia Commons
What is the name of this fish?
Dogtooth Tuna
Bonefish
Cobia
Tarpon
The Atlantic tarpon is found on both sides of the Atlantic ocean. It is an air-breathing, chrome-plated jumper, and fighter! The all-tackle world record of 286 pounds and 9 ounces was taken off Guinea Bissau, Africa in 2003!

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Atlantic Snook
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Can you name this fish?
Tarpon
Spearfish
Dogtooth Tuna
Atlantic Snook
The Atlantic snook has an underslung jaw and dark lateral-line stripe that make it hard to mistake for anything else. A 53-pound, 10 ounce Atlantic snook, found near Coasta Rica, has held as the all-tackle world record since 1978.

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Spearfish
By Nholtzha, from Wikimedia Commons
How about this one?
Barramundi
Bonefish
Spearfish
Spearfish are categorized into the shortbill and the longbill species. Did you know that they are seldom targeted because they’re are not often found in numbers? They’re typically caught by accident!
Tarpon

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Cobia
By National Institute of Standards and Technology (Cobia), via Wikimedia Commons
The challenge continues... which fish is this?
Red Drum
Cobia
At first glance, many fishermen think that a Cobia is a shark, but in fact it is its own species! They are tough fighters, but make for enjoyable eating once caught!
Tripletail
Southern Yellowtail

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Talang Queenfish
By Kare Kare , from Wikimedia Commons
Can you name this fish?
Bluefin Tuna
Talang Queenfish
Queenies, as they are nicknamed, inhabit lagoons and shallow reefs, preferring clear waters, and can be found widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region. Australians actually use them as black marlin bait!
Roosterfish
Spearfish

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Tripletail
By Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M., via Wikimedia Commons
Calling all experts! Name this fish...
Tripletail
There aren't many fish quite like a tripletail! Nicknamed 'trips,' they hit hard when they strike and can run and jump from the water like you wouldn't expect! The largest on record was caught near South Africa in 1989 weighing in at 42 pounds and 5 ounces.
Barramundi
Albacore
Thresher Shark

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Blackfin Tuna
By Darren Baker, via Wikimedia Commons
A few more to go now, which fish is this?
Bluefin Tuna
Blackfin Tuna
If you're a fly-rodder or popper enthusiast, you might get a kick out of these tuna... they sure to put up a good fight frenzy when hooked! They can also swim as fast as 40 miles per hour!
Tarpon
Barramundi

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King Threadfin
Deeper Sonar via youtube
You might just be an expert if you can name this one...
Albacore
King Threadfin
Found mainly in northern Australia, King threadfin live in muddy, silty intertidal waters, where they use their characteristic long filamentous feelers beneath their throat to sense prey. They readily strike lures and bait!
California Yellowtail
Atlantic Snook

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Pacific Snook
Manuel Zambrano Dufau via youtube
Recognize this fish here?
Pacific Snook
The Pacific snook is known for its aerial acrobatics! They are found from Baja to Peru and the largest caught on record was 59-pounds, 8 ounces!
Bluefin
King Threadfin
Barramundi

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Pacific Sailfish
Nat Geo WILD via youtube
Can you name this one?
Roosterfish
Atlantic Sailfish
Pacific Sailfish
Sailfish are found in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The fishery off Guatemala is known to be a leading sailfishery in the world, with some charter boats enjoying dozens of shots in a day. Malaysia has also been enjoying bountiful numbers.
Blacktip Shark

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Southern Yellowtail
Navionics via youtube
You're doing great, now name this one!
Talang Queenfish
King Mackerel
Atlantic Snook
Southern Yellowtail
Did you know that two Southern yellowtail tie for the all-tackle world record of 114 pounds, 10 ounces? Both fish were taken off northern New Zealand, one at White Island and the other out of Tauranga!

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You Got:
/40
By UnknownUnknown author (NOAA FishWatch (see Gallery)), via Wikimedia Commons // By Brian Gratwicke, via Wikimedia Commons // By OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP), via Wikimedia Commons // By Brian.gratwicke, from Wikimedia Commons