Long Island Collecting Log: The tropicals are in

by | Jun 19, 2015 | DIY, Fish, Science | 1 comment

The northern sennet, a close relative of the great barracuda, is usually among the first warm-water species to appear on Long Island each year.

The northern sennet, a close relative of the great barracuda, is usually among the first warm-water species to appear on Long Island each year.

After a long cold winter and amid disturbing reports that the North Atlantic may be entering a cool phase, I am very happy to report that the first tropical species of the year have made their appearance in Long Island waters.Yesterday, I was joined by an elite team of fish collectors (Noel Heinsohn from the Long Island Aquarium and my former marine biology student, Courtney Lamond), for an early season scouting mission at Oak Beach, one of the most popular fish collecting sites on Long Island. Our primary goal was to collect seahorses for Noel’s seahorse tank at the aquarium and for DNA samples for researcher, Adeljean Ho, however a seining trip is always an opportunity to collect data and specimens you didn’t even know you needed. In this case, the most valuable thing that came out of the trip was the observation that the tropicals have arrived. The first tropical fishes of the year usually arrive on or soon after the summer solstice, so although it is not surprising, it is certainly comforting to see them a few days early. The day’s catch included northern sennets, numerous post-larval groupers, and a planehead filefish as well as a number of local species. Here’s the complete list: Atlantic silverside, mummichog, white mullet, northern pipefish, lined seahorse, fourspine stickleback, grubby sculpin, cunner, tautog, northern sennet, assorted unidentified groupers, American eel, winter flounder, windowpane flounder, and planehead filefish.

Planehead filefish

Planehead filefish

Post-larval scamp grouper

Post-larval scamp grouper

  • Todd Gardner

    Todd Gardner is a professor of Aquaculture and Marine Biology at Carteret Community College in Morehead City, North Carolina where he oversees a partnership between the college and The Biota Group, a world leader in sustainably cultured marine life. Todd's life and career have been shaped by his passion for ocean life and he has written numerous scientific and popular articles about his research and experiences collecting, keeping, and culturing marine organisms. Todd’s professional background includes work on a National Geographic documentary, commercial aquaculture at C-quest Hatchery in Puerto Rico, and an 11-year term at the Long Island Aquarium where he spent much of his time developing techniques for rearing marine fish larvae. To date he has raised more than 50 species. In 2013 Todd received the prestigious Aquarist of the Year Award from the Marine Aquarium Society of North America (MASNA). In his spare time, Todd dives, photographs marine life, runs marathons, and makes music.

1 Comment

  1. Marcin Smok

    Great article Todd, I am always excited to read a report about summer tropical fish catch in LI!

    Reply

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