United States of America Endemic Marine Fish Checklist

United States of America

Checklist of Endemic Marine Fish Species

This list of marine fish species found exclusively in the United States of America is based on the taxonomy used in FishBase 2004 (2004). For further details on possible inaccuracies in the list see Sources & Caveats.

FishBase 2004: a global information system on fishes. DVD. WorldFish Center - Philippine Office, Los Banos, Philippines. Published in May 2004.

The current version of this electronic database is accessible here.

OC = a FishBase occurrence record suggests a specimen from another country outside normal stated range (these vary widely in reliability from obvious misidentifications to being almost certainly correct)

Ctenochaetus strigosus OC (Acanthuridae) Spotted Surgeonfish

Synagrops argyrea (Acropomatidae) Silvery-colored Cardinalfish

Ammodytoides pylei (Ammodytidae) Pyle's Sandlance

Apogon erythrinus OC (Apogonidae) Hawaiian Ruby Cardinalfish

Apogon maculiferus (Apogonidae) Spotted Cardinalfish

Pseudamiops diaphanes (Apogonidae) Transparent Cardinalfish

Membras vagrans OC (Atherinopsidae) Rough-scaled Silversides

Menidia conchorum (Atherinopsidae) Key Silverside

Opsanus tau OC (Batrachoididae) Oyster Toadfish

Chasmodes bosquianus (Blenniidae) Striped Blenny

Chasmodes longimaxilla (Blenniidae) Stretchjaw Blenny

Chasmodes saburrae (Blenniidae) Florida Blenny

Cirripectes obscurus (Blenniidae) Gargantuan Blenny

Cirripectes vanderbilti (Blenniidae) Scarface Blenny

Enchelyurus brunneolus (Blenniidae)

Entomacrodus strasburgi (Blenniidae) Strasburg's Blenny

Hypleurochilus caudovittatus (Blenniidae) Zebratail Blenny

Hypleurochilus geminatus OC (Blenniidae) Crested Blenny

Hypleurochilus multifilis (Blenniidae) Featherduster Blenny

Hypsoblennius ionthas OC (Blenniidae) Freckled Blenny

Istiblennius zebra (Blenniidae) Zebra Blenny

Parablennius marmoratus (Blenniidae) Marbled Blenny

Plagiotremus ewaensis (Blenniidae) Ewa Blenny

Plagiotremus goslinei (Blenniidae) Biting Blenny

Engyprosopon hawaiiensis (Bothidae) Hawaiian Dwarf Flounder

Engyprosopon xenandrus (Bothidae)

Parabothus chlorospilus OC (Bothidae) Green-spotted Flounder

Taeniopsetta radula OC (Bothidae) Round-bodied Flounder

Grammonus waikiki (Bythitidae)

Gunterichthys longipenis (Bythitidae) Gold Brotula

Microbrotula rubra (Bythitidae)

Callionymus caeruleonotatus (Callionymidae) Bluespotted Dragonet

Callionymus comptus (Callionymidae) Ornamented Dragonet

Callionymus decoratus (Callionymidae) Longtail Dragonet

Draculo pogognathus (Callionymidae) Hawaiian Wonder Dragonet

Foetorepus goodenbeani OC (Callionymidae)

Synchiropus rosulentus (Callionymidae) Rosy Dragonet

Caracanthus typicus (Caracanthidae) Hawaiian Orbicular Velvetfish

Chaenopsis roseola (Chaenopsidae) Flecked Pikeblenny

Emblemariopsis diaphanus OC (Chaenopsidae) Glass Blenny

Chaetodon fremblii (Chaetodontidae) Bluestriped Butterflyfish

Chaetodon multicinctus OC (Chaetodontidae) Pebbled Butterflyfish

Champsodon fimbriatus (Champsodontidae)

Gibbonsia evides (Clinidae)

Brevoortia smithi OC (Clupeidae) Yellowfin Menhaden

Conger oligoporus OC (Congridae)

Gorgasia hawaiiensis (Congridae) Hawaiian Garden Eel

Heteroconger luteolus OC (Congridae) Yellow Garden Eel

Enophrys taurina (Cottidae) Bull Sculpin

Icelinus oculatus OC (Cottidae) Frogmouth Sculpin

Icelus uncinalis OC (Cottidae) Uncinate Sculpin

Oligocottus latifrons (Cottidae)

Phallocottus obtusus (Cottidae) Spineless Sculpin

Radulinus vinculus (Cottidae) Smooth-gum Sculpin

Sigmistes caulias (Cottidae) Kelp Sculpin

Stelgistrum beringianum (Cottidae) Smallplate Sculpin

Thyriscus anoplus (Cottidae) Sponge Sculpin

Triglops xenostethus (Cottidae) Scaly breasted Sculpin

Crystallodytes cookei OC (Creediidae) South Pacific Sandburrower

Eumicrotremus gyrinops (Cyclopteridae) Alaskan Lumpsucker

Eumicrotremus phrynoides OC (Cyclopteridae) Toad Lumpsucker

Lethotremus muticus (Cyclopteridae) Docked Snailfish

Symphurus nebulosus (Cynoglossidae) Freckled Tonguefish

Symphurus pusillus (Cynoglossidae) Northern Tonguefish

Dactyloscopus moorei (Dactyloscopidae) Speckled Stargazer

Encrasicholina purpurea OC (Engraulidae) Hawaiian Anchovy

Epigonus fragilis OC (Epigonidae)

Fundulus jenkinsi (Fundulidae) Saltmarsh Topminnow

Fundulus luciae (Fundulidae) Spotfin Killifish

Fundulus majalis OC (Fundulidae) Striped Killifish

Fundulus pulvereus (Fundulidae) Bayou Killifish

Fundulus similis OC (Fundulidae) Longnose Killifish

Rimicola cabrilloi (Gobiesocidae) Channel Islands Clingfish

Bollmannia eigenmanni OC (Gobiidae) Shelf Goby

Coryphopterus punctipectophorus (Gobiidae) Spotted Goby

Eucyclogobius newberryi (Gobiidae) Tidewater Goby

Eviota rubra (Gobiidae)

Eviota susanae (Gobiidae)

Gobiosoma ginsburgi (Gobiidae) Seaboard Goby

Gobiosoma longipala (Gobiidae) Twoscale Goby

Microgobius thalassinus (Gobiidae) Green Goby

Oxyurichthys heisei (Gobiidae) Ribbon Goby

Oxyurichthys lonchotus (Gobiidae) Pointed-tail Goby

Priolepis eugenius OC (Gobiidae) Noble Goby

Priolepis limbatosquamis (Gobiidae) Rimmed-scale Goby

Psilogobius mainlandi (Gobiidae) Hawaiian Shrimp Goby

Varicus marilynae (Gobiidae) Orangebelly Goby

Gonorynchus moseleyi (Gonorynchidae) Beaked Sandfish

Hemiramphus depauperatus OC (Hemiramphidae) Tropical Half-beak Fish

Sargocentron xantherythrum (Holocentridae) Hawaiian Squirrelfish

Sectator azureus (Kyphosidae)

Ammolabrus dicrus (Labridae) Forktail Sand Wrasse

Anampses chrysocephalus OC (Labridae) Redtail Wrasse

Anampses cuvier OC (Labridae) Pearl Wrasse

Bodianus sanguineus (Labridae) Sunrise Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus jordani (Labridae) Flame Wrasse

Coris ballieui (Labridae) Lined Coris

Coris flavovittata (Labridae) Yellowstripe Coris

Coris venusta OC (Labridae) Elegant Coris

Cymolutes lecluse OC (Labridae) Sharp-headed Wrasse

Iniistius baldwini (Labridae) Baldwin's Razorfish

Iniistius umbrilatus (Labridae) Razor Wrasse

Labroides phthirophagus (Labridae) Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse

Thalassoma ballieui (Labridae) Blacktail Wrasse

Thalassoma duperrey OC (Labridae) Saddle Wrasse

Careproctus scottae (Liparidae) Peachskin Snailfish

Careproctus spectrum OC (Liparidae) Stippled Snailfish

Crystallichthys cyclospilus (Liparidae) Blotched Snailfish

Liparis adiastolus (Liparidae) Rosybrown Snailfish

Liparis bristolensis (Liparidae) Bristol Snailfish

Liparis catharus (Liparidae) Purity Snailfish

Liparis megacephalus (Liparidae) Bighead Snailfish

Liparis rutteri OC (Liparidae) Ringtail Snailfish

Microdesmus lanceolatus (Microdesmidae) Lancetail Wormfish

Ptereleotris calliura OC (Microdesmidae) Blue Goby

Cantherhines sandwichiensis OC (Monacanthidae) Squaretail Filefish

Cantherhines verecundus (Monacanthidae) Shy Filefish

Pervagor spilosoma OC (Monacanthidae) Fantail Filefish

Monognathus ahlstromi (Monognathidae) Paddletail Onejaw

Neomyxus chaptalii OC (Mugilidae) Uouoa Mullet

Parupeneus chrysonemus (Mullidae) Yellow-threaded Goatfish

Parupeneus porphyreus OC (Mullidae) Whitesaddle Goatfish

Gymnothorax atolli (Muraenidae) Atoll Moray

Gymnothorax kolpos OC (Muraenidae) Blacktail Moray

Gymnothorax mucifer (Muraenidae)

Gymnothorax nuttingi OC (Muraenidae) Nutting's Moray

Gymnothorax polyspondylus (Muraenidae) Manyvertebrae Moray

Gymnothorax steindachneri (Muraenidae) Steindachner's Moray

Saurenchelys cognita (Nettastomatidae)

Ogcocephalus declivirostris OC (Ogcocephalidae) Slantbrow Batfish

Bascanichthys bascanium OC (Ophichthidae) Sooty Eel

Callechelys lutea OC (Ophichthidae) Yellow-spotted Snake-eel

Callechelys springeri (Ophichthidae) Ridgefin Eel

Gordiichthys ergodes (Ophichthidae) Irksone Eel

Gordiichthys irretitus (Ophichthidae) Horsehair Eel

Gordiichthys leibyi (Ophichthidae) String Eel

Lethogoleos andersoni OC (Ophichthidae) Forgetful Snake Eel

Myrichthys magnificus (Ophichthidae) Magnificent Snake-eel

Ophichthus hyposagmatus OC (Ophichthidae) Faintsaddled Snake Eel

Ophichthus kunaloa (Ophichthidae)

Ophichthus menezesi OC (Ophichthidae) Blotched Snake Eel

Ophichthus omorgmus (Ophichthidae) Dottedline Snake Eel

Pseudomyrophis fugesae (Ophichthidae) Diminutive Worm Eel

Pseudomyrophis nimius OC (Ophichthidae) Elongate Worm Eel

Scolecenchelys cookei OC (Ophichthidae)

Scolecenchelys puhioilo (Ophichthidae)

Lepophidium jeannae (Ophidiidae) Mottled Cusk-eel

Ophidion josephi (Ophidiidae) Crested Cusk-eel

Ophidion marginatum (Ophidiidae) Striped Cusk-eel

Ophidion robinsi (Ophidiidae) Colonial Cusk-eel

Ophidion selenops (Ophidiidae) Mooneye Cusk-eel

Ophidion welshi (Ophidiidae) Crested Cusk-eel

Lonchopisthus lindneri (Opistognathidae) Swordtail Jawfish

Cyclopsetta decussata (Paralichthyidae)

Etropus cyclosquamus (Paralichthyidae) Shelf Flounder

Etropus microstomus OC (Paralichthyidae) Smallmouth Flounder

Etropus rimosus OC (Paralichthyidae) Gray Flounder

Eurypegasus papilio (Pegasidae) Hawaiian Sea-moth Fsh

Urophycis earllii (Phycidae) Carolina Hake

Urophycis regia OC (Phycidae) Spotted Codling

Apolemichthys arcuatus (Pomacanthidae) Banded Angelfish

Centropyge fisheri OC (Pomacanthidae) Orange Angelfish

Centropyge potteri (Pomacanthidae) Russet Angelfish

Genicanthus personatus (Pomacanthidae) Masked Angelfish

Chromis hanui (Pomacentridae) Hawaiian Bicolor Chromis

Chromis ovalis (Pomacentridae) Hawaiian Chromis

Chromis struhsakeri (Pomacentridae) Struhsaker's Chromis

Chromis verater (Pomacentridae) Threespot Chromis

Dascyllus albisella OC (Pomacentridae) Hawaiian Dascyllus

Plectroglyphidodon sindonis (Pomacentridae) Rock Damselfish

Breviraja claramaculata (Rajidae) Brightspot Skate

Dipturus olseni OC (Rajidae) Spreadfin Skate

Leucoraja garmani OC (Rajidae) Freckled Skate

Samariscus corallinus (Samaridae) Coralline-red Flounder

Calotomus zonarchus (Scaridae) Yellowbar Parrotfish

Chlorurus perspicillatus (Scaridae) Spectacled Parrotfish

Scarus dubius (Scaridae) Regal Parrotfish

Larimus fasciatus OC (Sciaenidae) Banded Drum

Stellifer lanceolatus OC (Sciaenidae) American Stardrum

Dendrochirus barberi OC (Scorpaenidae) Hawaiian Lionfish

Neomerinthe rufescens OC (Scorpaenidae)

Pterois sphex (Scorpaenidae) Hawaiian Turkeyfish

Scorpaena colorata OC (Scorpaenidae) Red Scorpionfish

Scorpaena pele (Scorpaenidae)

Scorpaenopsis altirostris (Scorpaenidae)

Scorpaenopsis brevifrons OC (Scorpaenidae) Bigmouth Scorpionfish

Scorpaenopsis cacopsis (Scorpaenidae) Jenkin's Scorpionfish

Scorpaenopsis pluralis (Scorpaenidae) Laysan Scorpionfish

Sebastapistes ballieui OC (Scorpaenidae) Spotfin Scorpionfish

Sebastes moseri (Sebastidae) Whitespeckled Rockfish

Sebastes swifti OC (Sebastidae)

Anthias woodsi (Serranidae) Swallowtail Basslet

Centropristis philadelphica (Serranidae) Rock Sea Bass

Centropristis striata OC (Serranidae) Black Seabass

Epinephelus quernus (Serranidae) Hawaiian Grouper

Liopropoma aurora (Serranidae) Yellowmargin Basslet

Liopropoma eukrines (Serranidae) Wrasse Bass

Odontanthias elizabethae (Serranidae) Elizabeth's Anthias

Odontanthias fuscipinnis (Serranidae) Hawaiian Deep Anthias

Pseudanthias fucinus (Serranidae)

Rypticus maculatus OC (Serranidae) Whitespotted Soapfish

Aseraggodes borehami (Soleidae) Boreham's Sole

Aseraggodes holcomi (Soleidae)

Aseraggodes therese (Soleidae) Therese's Sole

Calamus arctifrons (Sparidae) Grass Porgy

Ernogrammus walkeri (Stichaeidae) Masked Prickleback

Kasatkia seigeli (Stichaeidae) Six-spot Prickleback

Plagiogrammus hopkinsii (Stichaeidae) Crisscross Prickleback

Cosmocampus balli (Syngnathidae) Ball's Pipefish

Cosmocampus hildebrandi (Syngnathidae) Dwarf Pipefish

Doryrhamphus baldwini OC (Syngnathidae) Redstripe Pipefish

Halicampus edmondsoni (Syngnathidae) Edmondson's Pipefish

Hippocampus fisheri OC (Syngnathidae) Fisher's Seahorse

Syngnathus affinis (Syngnathidae) Texas Pipefish

Saurida flamma (Synodontidae) Orangemouth Lizardfish

Synodus amaranthus (Synodontidae)

Synodus falcatus (Synodontidae)

Synodus janus (Synodontidae)

Canthigaster jamestyleri (Tetraodontidae) Goldface Toby

Torquigener randalli (Tetraodontidae) Randall's Puffer

Paratrachichthys heptalepis (Trachichthyidae)

Prionotus tribulus OC (Triglidae) Bighead Searobin

Enneapterygius atriceps (Tripterygiidae) Hawaiian Blackhead Triplefin

Astroscopus guttatus OC (Uranoscopidae) Northern Stargazer

Gnathagnus egregius OC (Uranoscopidae) Freckled Stargazer

Eucryphycus californicus (Zoarcidae) Persimmon Eelpout

Additional endemic marine fish species that were not included in FishBase 2004 are given below. This list is primarily based on information from the 13 March 2009 version of the Catalog of Fishes database (current version here) and includes species described through 2008. In addition to the 226 endemic marine fish species listed above, these additional 16 species total 242 species of marine fishes known solely from the United States of America.

Albula virgata (Albulidae)

Grammonus nagaredai (Bythitidae) 2008

Grammatonotus ambiortus (Callanthiidae) 2006

Icelinus limbaughi (Cottidae) Canyon Sculpin 2004

Cabillus caudimacula (Gobiidae) 2004

Pleurosicya larsonae (Gobiidae) 2004

Bodianus bathycapros (Labridae) 2006

Careproctus comus (Liparidae) Comic Snailfish 2007

Careproctus faunus (Liparidae) Mischievous Snailfish 2007

Lopholiparis flerxi (Liparidae) Hardhead Snailfish 2004

Ichthyapus platyrhynchus (Ophichthidae)

Macroparalepis johnfitchi (Paralepididae) Black Barrucidina