1a) No pelvic fins; dorsal, anal, and caudal fins continuous; body snake-like in appearance............................................................................. Anguilla rostrata - American eel

1b) Pelvic fins present; dorsal, anal, and caudal fins not continuous; body not snake-like in appearance............................................................................................ 2

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2a) A gular plate present on underside of head; dorsal fin length about one-half the total length of the fish, with more than 45 rays; snout short......................................... Amia calva - Bowfin

2b) No gular plate on underside of head; dorsal fins short, length always less than one-half total length and with less than 45 rays................................................................................. 3

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3a) Hard, armor-like scales cover an elongate body; snout very long.................................... 4

3b) Scales do not form an armor-like covering over the body; snout moderately elongated to short................................................................................................................................. 5

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4a) Snout length (measured from tip of snout to angle of jaws) more than twice the length of the remainder of the head (angle of jaws to back of operculum); body without prominent spots................................................................................ Lepisosteus osseus - Longnose Gar

4b) Snout length less than twice the length of the remainder of the head; body prominently spotted.......................................................................... Lepisosteus platyrhincus - Florida Gar

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5a) Snout moderately long, shaped like a duck bill; body elongate, scales very small, body feels soft and smooth; caudal fin forked.............................................................................. 6

5b) Snout not shaped like a duck bill................................................................................... 7

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6a) Branchiostegal rays 11-14; lateral line scales about 105; adult’s body usually marked with irregular vertical bars.......................................................... Esox americanus - Redfin Pickerel

6b) Branchiostegal rays 14-16; lateral line scales about 125; adult’s body usually marked with a reticulate, chain-like pattern........................................................ Esox niger - Chain Pickerel

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7a) Both eyes located on right side of the head; body extremely flattened dorso-ventrally................................................................................ Trinectes maculatus - Hogchoker

7b) One eye on each side of head; body not flattened dorso-ventrally................................... 8

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8a) Anus placed far forward, located between pelvic fins or closer to head, except in young; chocolate brown to gray in color...................................... Aphredoderus sayanus - Pirate Perch

8b) Anus situated farther towards tail.................................................................................. 9

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9a) Body greatly compressed laterally with keeled (often saw-edged) belly; coloration metallic silver or gold (see 10b for exception)................................................................................. 10

9b) Body round in cross section, or if laterally compressed, without keeled belly................. 12

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10a) Last dorsal fin ray elongated, threadlike; lateral line straight; anal rays 17-35; color silvery.............................................................................................................................. 11

10b) Last dorsal fin ray not elongated; lateral line strongly decurved; anal rays 13-19; adults silvery or golden with a reddish tint (juveniles silvery with a dark lateral stripe)..................................................................... Notemigonus crysoleucas - Golden Shiner

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11a) Anal rays 17-25; lower jaw projecting beyond tip of snout............................................................................ Dorosoma petenense - Threadfin Shad

11b) Anal rays 29-35; lower jaw not projecting beyond tip of snout............................................................................ Dorosoma cepedianum - Gizzard Shad

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12a) Front of head depressed, with 8 long barbels; pectoral fins with strong serrated spines; body without scales.......................................................................................................... 13

12b) Front of head not depressed, without 8 long barbels; pectoral fins lack strong, serrated spines, body scaled.......................................................................................................... 17

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13a) Posterior end of adipose fin connected to caudal fin................................................... 14

13b) Posterior end of adipose fin not connected to caudal fin.............................................. 15

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14a) Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins heavily speckled; upper jaw overhangs lower jaw............................................................................ Noturus leptacanthus - Speckled Madtom

14b) Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins not speckled, upper and lower jaws about equal in length................................................................................. Noturus gyrinus - Tadpole Madtom

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15a) Chin barbels at least partially white (no melanophores); anal rays 24-28; color generally uniform, without mottling..................................................... Ameiurus natalis - Yellow Bullhead

15b) Chin barbels dark (at least some sprinkling of melanophores); anal rays 18-24; color usually mottled or spotted................................................................................................. 16

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16a) Upper and lower jaws about equal in length; color usually darkly mottled on lighter background; dorsal fin lacks dark basal blotch................ Ameiurus nebulosus - Brown Bullhead

16b) Upper jaw projects beyond lower jaw; color usually light speckles on darker background (but may be uniformly dark); dorsal fin with dark basal blotch............................................................................... Ameiurus brunneus - Snail Bullhead

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17a) Spines absent in dorsal and anal fins......................................................................... 18

17b) Spines present in dorsal and anal fins........................................................................ 38

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18a) Mouth upturned and protractile................................................................................... 19

18b) Mouth terminal or downturned, never protractile.......................................................... 29

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19a) Third anal ray branched; anal fins of adult males and females rounded........................ 20

19b) Third anal ray unbranched; anal fin of males slender with long rays (forming a gonopodium).................................................................................................................... 27

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20a) Deep bodied: standard length less than three times maximum body depth; coloration red, white, and blue............................................................................ Jordanella floridae - Flagfish

20b) Less deep bodied: standard length more than three times body depth.......................... 21

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21a) An isolated, round, ocellated spot (dark spot surrounded by light ring) on caudal peduncle; body color greenish......................................... Leptolucania ommata - Pygmy Killifish

21b) No isolated, round ocellated spot on caudal peduncle (may have a caudal spot connected to a lateral stripe)............................................................................................................. 22

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22a) A single broad, dark lateral stripe present along side of body, often ending in a spot on caudal peduncle..................................................................... Lucania goodei - Bluefin Killifish

22b) A single broad, dark lateral stripe absent (several longitudinal streaks present in one species)........................................................................................................................... 23

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23a) Scales along side of body 50 or more; 17 rays in dorsal fin; body peppered with small, black spots................................................................... Fundulus seminolis - Seminole Killifish

23b) Scales along side of body less than 40; less than 14 dorsal rays................................. 24

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24a) A dark, tear-drop marking under each eye; several longitudinal streaks or vertical bars present on side of body................................................ Fundulus lineolatus - Lined Topminnow

24b) Tear-drop markings absent under eyes; body with spots or vertical bars...................... 25

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25a) 7 pores lining inner edge of preopercle, origin of dorsal fin posterior to that of the anal fin; usually less than 12 vertical bars (in males) on side of body; gold or red spots or flecks on body......................................................................... Fundulus chrysotus - Golden Topminnow

25b) 5 or 6 pores lining inner edge of preopercle................................................................ 26

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26a) 5 pores lining inner edge of preopercle, breeding males with red pigment on jaws and sides of head......................................................... Fundulus rubrifrons - Red-Face Topminnow

26b) 6 pores lining inner edge of preopercle, never with red pigment on jaws or head, absent from peninsular Florida, southern most populations occupying the Santa Fe River (Suwannee River drainage)......................................................... Fundulus cingulatus - Banded topminnow

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27a) A single dark spot present on the dorsal fin (also on the anal fin of females); caudal fin clear................................................................................ Heterandria formosa - Least Killifish

27b) Dorsal and caudal fins with numerous black flecks..................................................... 28

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28a) Body with numerous longitudinal streaks; dorsal rays 14-16; dorsal fin of certain males enlarged, sail-like..................................................................... Poecilia latipinna - Sailfin Molly

28b) Body without numerous longitudinal streaks; dorsal rays 7-9; dorsal fin never enlarged............................................................................ Gambusia holbrooki - Mosquitofish

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29a) Caudal fin rounded; a small vertical bar present at base of caudal fin................................................................................ Umbra pygmaea - Eastern Mudminnow

29b) Caudal fin forked; a spot (but no vertical bar) may be present at base of caudal fin...... 30

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30a) Mouth underslung with thickened, fleshy lips; 10-13 dorsal rays................................................................................ Erimyzon sucetta - Lake Chubsucker

30b) Mouth terminal, never underslung or with thickened, fleshy lips, 8-9 dorsal rays........... 31

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31a) Dorsal rays 9; mouth extremely oblique, situated at an angle of 35° - 45° to the horizontal; scales along side of body thinly outlined with dark pigment to produce a cross hatch effect............................................................... Opsopoeodus emiliae - Pugnose Minnow

31b) Dorsal rays 8; mouth more or less horizontal (always less than 35° to horizontal); no cross hatch effect on sides............................................................................................... 32

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32a) Anal rays usually 10.................................................................................................. 33

32b) Anal rays 9 or less.................................................................................................... 34

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33a) Lateral stripe on body relatively narrow (its width about one third of body depth at level of dorsal fin), dusky black and sharply delineated; dorsal fin without definite pigmentation pattern............................................................................ Notropis cummingsae - Dusky Shiner

33b) Lateral stripe on body wide (its width about one half of body depth at level of dorsal fin), steel blue and less sharply defined; dorsal fin with dark pigment on membranes in middle and back of fin................................................................... Pteronotropis metallicus - Sailfin Shiner

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34a) Anal rays usually 7; a small, oblong spot (continuous with the dark lateral stripe) present on caudal peduncle............................................................ Notropis petersoni - Coastal Shiner

34b) Anal rays usually 8; caudal spot variously developed or absent................................... 35

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35a) A distinct round, dark caudal spot present on caudal peduncle and (mostly) caudal fin, not (or barely) connected to much less intense, thin lateral stripe; scales along middle and upper side of body thinly outlined by pigment giving a chained effect.............................................................................. Notropis maculatus - Taillight Shiner

35b) Caudal spot, if present, not round, always obviously joined to dark lateral stripe; no chained effect on sides..................................................................................................... 36

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36a) Dorsal and anal fins in adults (especially males) notably enlarged and rounded, often with heavy concentrations of black pigment in membranes; light area on snout of adults (especially males), often brilliant blue in life; horizontally oblong, intensely black spot (intensification of lateral stripe) present on caudal peduncle and caudal fin; origin of dorsal fin distinctly posterior to insertion of pelvic fins, situated at least one fourth of distance back along length of depressed pelvic fins............................ Pteronotropis welaka - Bluenose Shiner

36b) Dorsal and anal fins in adults not notably enlarged and rounded; snouts of adults not blue in life; caudal spot, if present, not distinctly oblong, no intensely dark or extending onto caudal fin; origin of dorsal fin only slightly posterior to insertion of pelvic fins.................................................................................................................................. 37

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37a) Chin essentially devoid of pigment, dorso-lateral scales less sharply outlined with dark pigment; area around anus and bordering anal fin base without concentrations of black pigment; "V"-shaped light area on end of snout (above dark lateral stripe); a small barbel usually present at posterior end of maxillary bone..................... Notropis harperi - Redeye Chub

37b) Chin with considerable black pigment; dorso-lateral scales more sharply outlined with dark pigment, although scales as a whole may be rather dark; "V"-shaped light area on end of snout usually absent; no barbel present at posterior end of maxillary bone............................................................................. Notropis chalybaeus - Ironcolor Shiner

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38a) The two dorsal fins widely separated; very elongate and slender body; dorsal surface greenish, sides silvery................................................. Labidesthes sicculus - Brook Silverside

38b) A single dorsal fin present, or two dorsal fins with a short separation.......................... 39

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39a) Two dorsal fins, with a short separation present between........................................... 40

39b) A single dorsal fin present......................................................................................... 44

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40a) Anal fin with three strong, graduated spines; several narrow stripes along sides............................................................... Morone saxatillis x M. chrysops - Sunshine Bass

40b) Anal fin with two spines............................................................................................. 41

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41a) Sides with 9 or more blotches, narrow and vertically elongate under dorsal fins; three evenly spaced dark spots at top, middle, and bottom of caudal fin base; snout sharp; midline of belly naked or with a single row of large scales..... Percina nigrofasciata - Blackbanded Darter

41b) Coloration not as above; snout more blunt than sharp; midline of belly without single row of large scales................................................................................................................. 42

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42a) "W" or "X"-shaped markings present along side of body, lateral line complete and straight.................................................................... Etheostoma olmstedi - Tessellated Darter

42b) Coloration not as shown above; lateral line sharply or moderately arched............................................................................................................................. 43

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43a) Lateral line scales whitish, causing lateral line to be clearly delineated; four small spots present on caudal fin base, one each at top and bottom and two closely situated medially; lateral line strongly arched above pectoral fin; irregular dark blotches on body.............................................................................. Etheostoma fusiforme - Swamp Darter

43b) Lateral line scales not depigmented, causing lateral line to blend in with adjacent scales; four small peduncle spots absent; lateral line moderately arched above pectoral fin; sides uniformly brownish, males with red spots on body and fins.... Etheostoma edwini - Brown Darter

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44a) Lateral line absent; adult length not exceeding 50 mm................................................ 45

44b) Lateral line present; adult length exceeds 50 mm....................................................... 47

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45a) Dorsal spines 5; dark spot on body near tip of pectoral fin; seven or more dark, vertical bars on side; males not blue in life.......................... Elassoma zonatum - Banded Pygmy Sunfish

45b) Dorsal spines 3-4; no dark spot on body near tip of pectoral fin; five or less (often none) dark, vertical bars on side; males blue in life...................................................................... 46

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46a) Top of head without scales, caudal fin unspotted (but with light or dark background color); tip of mouth lighter than sides of
mouth......................................................... Elassoma okefenokee - Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish

46b) Tip of head scaled (scales often imbedded); caudal fin spotted (sometimes only faintly); mouth evenly colored....................................... Elassoma evergladei - Everglade Pygmy Sunfish

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47a) Five or more anal spines........................................................................................... 48

47b) Three anal spines..................................................................................................... 50

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48a) Caudal fin rounded; 12 dorsal spines; four longitudinal dark stripes on head............................................................................... Acantharchus pomotis - Mud Sunfish

48b) Caudal fin notched; 7-11 dorsal spines; longitudinal head stripes absent............................................................................................................................. 49

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49a) Eleven dorsal spines; sides striped or with longitudinal rows of spots; young with distinctive orange or black spot on rear portion of dorsal fin.......................................................................................... Centrarchus macropterus - Flier

49b) Seven or eight dorsal spines; sides with horizontal rows of dark spots (larger than those of the Flier)................................................................ Pomoxis nigromaculatus - Black Crappie

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50a) Caudal fin rounded; a dark, vertical bar below each eye.............................................. 51

50b) Caudal fin notched; no dark, vertical bar below each eye............................................ 53

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51a) Middle dorsal fin spines noticeably longer than rear ones; front of dorsal fin dark; dark well defined, vertical bars on a gold to silver
background..................................................... Enneacanthus chaetodon - Blackbanded Sunfish

51b) Middle and rear dorsal spines about equally long; front of dorsal fin not darker than rest of fin; dark vertical bars, if present, less well defined, most often on a greenish or brownish background...................................................................................................................... 52

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52a) 18 or less scale rows around caudal peduncle; light spots on sides (blue to white in life); vertical bars generally lacking, but if present, indistinct and numbering five or less.................................................................. Enneacanthus gloriosus - Blue Spotted Sunfish

52b) 19 or more scale rows around caudal peduncle; sides usually marked with more than five dark, vertical bars; in life, gold spots often present on sides.......................................................................... Enneacanthus obesus - Banded Sunfish

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53a) Standard length more than three times the body depth; a deep notch between spiny and soft portions of dorsal fin............................... Micropterus salmoides - Florida Largemouth Bass

53b) Standard length less than three times the body depth; no deep notch between spiny and soft portions of dorsal fin.................................................................................................. 54

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54a) Mouth large, extending below the eye; color dark olive-brown with faint, darker blotches and several alternating light and dark stripes on operculum; an orange spot often present at tip of operculum.......................................................................... Lepomis gulosus - Warmouth

54b) Mouth smaller, not extending back to eye; color variable, but never as above............... 55

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55a) Pectoral fins long and pointed, when appressed almost reaching dorsal fin origin; if not, then a dark spot present at rear of dorsal fin...................................................................... 56

55b) Pectoral fins long and pointed, when appressed falls short of dorsal fin origin; dark spot never present on rear portion of dorsal fin.......................................................................... 57

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56a) Tip of operculum with posterior extension, this flap a dark spot bordered with orange-red (in-life); no dark spot at rear of dorsal fin; gill rakers much shorter than longest gill filaments...................................................................... Lepomis microlophus - Redear Sunfish

56b) Tip of operculum with a dark spot, but not extending backwards as a flap and without orange-red (in-life) margin; a dark spot (sometimes indistinct, especially if fin is dark) present at rear of dorsal fin; gill rakers as long as longest gill
filaments................................................................................. Lepomis macrochirus - Bluegill

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57a) Opercular spot with pale green margin; cheeks and belly orange with blue streaks............................................................................ Lepomis marginatus - Dollar Sunfish

57b) Opercular spot black without orange-red margin; body spotted (black) or unspotted..... 58

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58a);Body coloration a series of small black spots on an olivaceous background; black opercular flap not particularly elongated........................... Lepomis punctatus - Spotted Sunfish

58b) Belly reddish or yellowish in life, sometimes with small dark spots on sides (much less numerous than the spotted sunfish); black opercular flap is stiff, long, and narrow............................................................................. Lepomis auritus - Redbreast Sunfish