The following species have been identified in Blue Spring Run (Orange City, FL) or Rock Spring Run (Apopka, FL).  Whenever possible, we have included photographs of specimens from the runs.  This page will be updated as we identify and photograph additional fish.

Class Elasmobranchii

   Order Rajiformes

      Family Trygonidae

         Dasyatis sabina (Atlantic Sting Ray) Blue and Salt Springs   The disk (body, excluding tail) of the Atlantic Sting Ray usually does not exceed 60 cm across and, like all stingrays, this species has a thin, whip-like tail.  The most distinctive feature of this fish are the extremely rounded corners of its wing-like pectoral fins.  The snout, on the other hand, is pointed.  Although most common in marine waters, the Atlantic Sting Ray can be found at the end of the spring run, where it meets the St. Johns River.   The murky water makes it difficult to see the sting ray, as does this fish's habit of blending in with its substrate.

Class Teleostomi

   Order Lepisosteiformes

      Family Lepisosteidae

        Lepisosteus platyrhinchus (Florida Spotted Gar) Blue Spring  

    This gar is smaller (132 cm) than the Longnose Gar, but this difference is primarily due to snout size.  Florida Spotted Gar have a relatively broad, short snout and are liberally covered with black spots.  Notice how intensely spotted the juvenile is (below).

   Order Clupeiformes

      Family Elopidae

         Megalops atlanticus (Tarpon) Blue Spring     

   Tarpon are common in the spring run during the winter and spring.  These fish can be as long as 2.4 meters, but you won't see anything much bigger than 1 meter in the spring run.  The most noticeable features of Tarpon are their large scales and the lower jaw that projects far past the anterior end of the upper jaw.  Tarpon can be seen in the lower half of the spring run, below the swim area.

   Order Cypriniformes

      Family Cyprinidae

         Notemigonus crysoleucas bosci (Southeastern Golden Shiner) Blue & Rock Springs

     This species has compressed body, a ventral keel (ridge) between the pelvic and anal fins, and a decurved lateral line. Some individuals may have reddish dorsal, anal and caudal fins.  Golden shiners can reach 12 inches in length; those we found in Rock Spring Run had a total length of  3-4 inches, while those in Blue Spring Run were closer to 6 inches total length.  This species has 7-9 dorsal fin rays and 8-19 anal fin rays.

          Notropis petersoni (Coastal Shiner)

  The Coastal Shiner is one of the more common shiners in the area.  This species has a wide lateral stripe that continues onto the tail in a wedge-like shape.  The lower lips are only lightly pigmented and no black pigmentation is visible inside the mouth.  This species has 7 anal fin rays, and all of these rays are lined with black.  The coastal shiner is a coppery-silver color and grows to 8.2 cm in total length.

        Notropis chalybaeus (Ironcolor Shiner) Blue Spring

    This species is very similar to the Coastal Shiner, except that both the upper and lower lips are black (a continuation of the lateral stripe) and this pigmentation is also visible from the inside of the mouth.  The color of this species is difficult to capture and is a silvery-copper color.  Ironcolor shiners have 8 anal fin rays, whereas the Coastal Shiner has 7.   The top figure shows the thin gold stripe just dorsal to the wide lateral stripe.  The scales above the lateral stripe are outlined with black pigment, whereas those below the lateral stripe are not.    Ironcolor Shiners reach 6.5 cm total length.

         Pteronotropis signipinnis (Flagfin Shiner) Rock Spring

        One of the most notable features of the Flagfin Shiner is their very large, triangular dorsal and anal fins.  Anterior fin rays are shorter than those in the rear.  Dorsal fin rays have a dark band, but other fins are yellow. Decurved lateral line.  This species grows to a total length of 2.5 inches.

    Family Catostomidae

        Erimyzon sucetta (Lake Chubsucker) Blue Spring

        Juvenile Lake Chubsuckers can be found in the spring run.  They closely resemble shiners, with the exception of a broad head, dark anterior edges on their dorsal and anal fins, 12 dorsal fin rays, and a ventral mouth with a fat lower lip.  Juveniles are commonly 10 cm total length.

      Family Amiuridae

         Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfish) Blue Spring     

   The Channel Catfish is one of the smaller catfish in Blue Spring, although it can reach 127 cm in length elsewhere.  Notable features are the rounded edges of the broad anal fin, a forked caudal fin, dark/slate blue back and sides, and white or blue barbels on the chin.   Their color can vary somewhat with age, as can the presence of spots.  Channel Catfish are very curious and are commonly seen playing "follow the leader" up to the air-water interface.

   Order Siluriformes

      Family Loricariidae

         Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus (a South American armored catfish)--Not native Blue and Salt Spring  

   This species was first seen in Blue Spring Run in 1999.  Now the population has grown from 3 or 4 individuals to over 1200.  Armored catfish are usually seen in the fall and winter in the lower half of the spring run, although individuals are often spotted throughout the run during the year (including the boil cave itself) .  Armored catfish are usually about 50-70 cm long, have very large heads relative to body size, and large pointed fins.   You will see these fish draped on or around fallen trees in the lower half of the spring run.  Armored catfish are likely to be building nests in the banks of the spring run, so they are a potentially destructive alien species.

   Order Cyprinodontiformes

      Family Cyprinidontidae

         Lucania goodei (Bluefin Killifish) Blue & Rock Springs

      The most notable features of Bluefin Killifish are the  wide zig-zagging black strips that run from the tip of the snout to the base of the caudal fin and the thin black stripe that runs from the base of the pectoral fin to the anteroventral edge of the caudal fin. Males have black pigment along proximal dorsal and anal fin rays, and the dorsal, anal and caudal fins are often tinged red at the base.  Breeding coloration in males includes red caudal fin, bright sky-blue dorsal and anal fins and the skin dorsal to the anal fin is pale purple. During the breeding season, the males will display their fins to competitors by flaring their fin rays. These fish grow to a total length of 2 inches and have 9-12 dorsal fin rays.                         

         Lucania parva (Rainwater Killifish) Blue & Rock Springs

      Rainwater Killifish have few distinctive features, but can be identified by their somewhat blotchy iridescent pigmentation and their black pigmentation on the anteriormost dorsal fin ray .  The blotchiness is mostly due to its large dark-edged scales and grey lateral stripe.  Breeding coloration includes an increase in overall pigmentation and rust-colored dorsal, anal and caudal fins.  This species can grow to 2.75 inches total length and has 9-13 dorsal fin rays.

        Jordanella floridae (Flagfish) Blue Springs

        The Flagfish resembles a juvenile sunfish, with the exception of a large black spot on its side.  Usually has thin bands of black and orange and some gold flecks.  Dorsal fin is long, with 14-18 rays.  Fins are clear to dusky red.  Large males may be bright orange.  This species reaches 6..5 cm in total length.

         Fundulus seminolis (Seminole Killifish) Blue, Rock and Salt Springs 

      The Seminole Killifish is one of the largest killifish seen in the spring runs.   They are not heavily pigmented and may appear pale metallic green or almost white with horizontal rows made of small black spots.  Breeding coloration of females will often include vertical green bar.  Seminole Killifish may grow to 16 cm (common size in Rock Springs).  Seminole Killifish and Banded Topminnows look very similar.  Seminole Killifish, however, have 16-17 dorsal fin rays, whereas Banded Topminnows have 6-8 dorsal fin rays.

         Fundulus chrysotus (Golden Topminnow) Blue Spring

    The most notable feature of the Golden Topminnow is the scattering of large bright gold or small red flecks across its body.  There can be some variety in coloration, ranging from the golden color you see above to the breeding coloration in males, which  is spectacular (it resembles the coloration of a rainbow trout) (see figure below).   Additionally, this species can be melanistic (see figure below).  Golden Topminnows reach a maximum total length of 5.5 cm and have 7-9 dorsal fin rays and 9-11 anal fin rays.  Golden Topminnows are found throughout the Blue Spring run.

         Fundulus cingulatus (Banded Topminnow) Blue & Rock Springs     The most notable features of the Banded Topminnow are the 12-15 horizontal green-brown bars along the side (most noticeable in the top, preserved specimen) and its relatively broad head.  This species has 6-8 dorsal fin rays and 9-10 anal fin rays.  This species usually reaches a maximum total length of 3 inches.  Banded Topminnow are found in the mid-lower reaches of both spring runs.

      Family Poeciliidae

         Gambusia affinis holbrooki (Eastern Mosquitofish) Blue & Rock Springs

      The most notable features in Mosquitofish are its long, narrow caudal peduncle, vertically striped caudal fin, horizontally striped dorsal fin, and the elongated gonopodium (modified anal fin ray) in males.  Pregnant females sport a black anal spot and their abdomens may be grotesquely enlarged.  Individuals may also have a yellow breast.  Mosquitofish are usually fairly uniformly colored, but melanistic individuals are common in Florida (see below).    6-7 dorsal fin rays.

         Poecilia latipinna (Sailfin Molly) Blue & Rock Springs

     The most noticeable feature of Mollies is the series of 5-6 lateral rows of dark brown spots.  Large males also have a huge, orange edged dorsal fin (sail fin!), and when in breeding coloration they have a dusky orange caudal fin and 4-5 short vertical bars along the side of the belly (see figure B below).  Melanistic mollies (see figure C below) were common in Rock Spring Run and rare in Blue Spring Run. This species has a very solid body and a deep caudal peduncle.  13-16 dorsal fin rays.  Mollies can grow to a maximum total length of 6 inches.  We find Sailfin Mollies in the entire spring run (both Rock & Blue Springs). 

         Heterandria formosa (Least Killifish) Blue & Rock Springs

      The most notable feature of Least Killifish is the series of vertical stripes intersecting a wider lateral stripe. These fish have a deep belly, but relatively narrow and long caudal peduncle.  The dorsal fin has a large black spot at its base and may have a second, more distal, yellow spot.  Females have a black spot at the base of the anal fin.  6-9 anal fin rays in females.  This species reaches a maximum total length of 1.5 inches.

   Order Mugiliformes

      Family Mugilidae

         Mugil cephalus (Striped Mullet) Blue Spring

  The Striped Mullet is commercially important and is usually considered a marine species, although clearly they do enter freshwater.  Mullet spawn offshore, so are seasonal residents of the springs.  Striped Mullet are distinct from other mullets due to the series of dark spots along their side that gives the appearance of spots.  Dorsal and anal fins are unscaled, 2nd dorsal fin origin is aligned with anal fin origin.  This species reaches a maximum length of 91 cm.

        Mugil alba (White Mullet) Salt Spring

      Family Atherinidae

         Labidesthes sicculus vanhyningi (Florida Brook Silverside) Blue & Rock Springs

    The most notable feature of the Brook Silverside is its silver color, beak-like mouth and large eyes.  Silversides have two dorsal fins: a small anterior fin (insertion above anal fin insertion) and a larger posterior fin well back on the body.  In life (unlike the above picture) the body is silvery green with a brighter silver lateral stripe.  22-25 anal fin rays.

         Menidia beryllina atrimentis (Inland Silverside) Blue & Rock Springs

     The Inland Silverside resembles the Brook Silverside, but can easily be identified by is jaw morphology.  The Brook Silverside has a beak-like jaw, but the Inland Silverside has a protrusible jaw.  Also, the first dorsal fin origin is anterior to the origin of the anal fin.  In life (unlike in the picture) the body is silvery green with a wide silver stripe.  This species usually has 16-18 anal fin rays and grows to 6 inches.  We have not captured specimens larger than 7.5 cm.

   Order Perciformes

      Family Centrarchidae

        Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Black Crappie) Blue Spring

        Black Crappie might, at first glance, look like a Largemouth Bass or a big Bluegill, but if you look more closely, you will see that the area over the eye is decurved and the predorsal area is very long (dorsal fin is set far back).  The mouth is large and extends under the eye.  Unlike the Largemouth, the Black Crappie does not have black lines radiating from its eye.  This fish is grey-green in color (can be pale or dark) and may have many dark flecks.  This species reaches 49 cm total length.

         Lepomis gulosus (Warmouth) Blue Spring

     The Warmouth has a relatively large mouth (extending to the middle of the eye), a short, round pectoral fin and lines radiating from behind the eye.  Other notable features are the dotted lines on the dorsal fin, the round black spot on the ear of the operculum and the relatively slender body.  This species may have a red eye, although this was not obvious in this young specimen. This species has about 14 pectoral rays, 9-10 anal rays and long gill rakers.   Warmouths can grow to 31 cm TL.

         Lepomis punctatus punctatus (Spotted Sunfish) Blue Spring

  This subspecies of Spotted Sunfish are covered with small black spots;  the spots on the body are very regular (about one per scale), whereas those on the head are more irregular in size and distribution.  The spots of Lepomis punctatus can range in color from black to red-orange (mature males) to yellow-brown (females).  The pectoral fin does not extend past the eye when folded forward.     The pelvic and anal fins were very dark (almost black) while the dorsal and caudal fins were dusky.  There are usually 13-14 pectoral rays and 10 anal fin rays.  This species can grow to 20 cm in total length.

         Lepomis macrochirus purpurescens (Bluegill Sunfish) Blue & Rock Springs  

    The Bluegill Sunfish is one of the most populous species in the middle reaches of the spring runs and it exhibits a wide variety of patterns during its life. Bluegills in the clear spring waters tend to have 8 or more vertical bars, and these are especially prominent in juveniles.  The posterior edge of the operculum ("ear") is usually black.  Very young or breeding males usually have a blue metallic sheen on their bodies (you can see this sheen on the operculum of this individual).  Breeding males will also have a red-orange breast and belly.   Adults have a large black spot at the rear of the dorsal fin, but this is less obvious in younger fish.  Another feature of the Bluegill is the length of the pectoral fin; this long pointed fin will extend far past the eye when bent forward.    The jaw is relatively small and does not extend past the middle of the eye.   Bluegills usually have 13 pectoral fin rays, and 11-12 anal fin rays.  This species can grow to a maximum total length of 41 cm.

         Lepomis microlophus microlophus (Redear Sunfish) Blue Spring  

   The Redear Sunfish bears a strong resemblance to the Bluegill (size of mouth, length of pectoral fin) and occurs in the same areas of the spring run, but it can be distinguished by a red spot on the posterior edge of the operculum (the red "ear") and the lack of a black spot on the posterior dorsal fin.  Breeding males are bright gold with darker pelvic fins.   Redears tend to be smaller than Bluegills (to 25 cm).  Redears usually have 13-14 pectoral fin rays and 11 anal fin rays.

        Micropterus salmoides floridanus (Florida Largemouth Bass) Rock & Blue Springs 

 The Largemouth Bass is a relatively long (up to 97 cm), slender bodied fish that can be found in the lower two-thirds of the spring run.  The body is olive green above a dark green lateral stripe, and lighter below.  An array of three or four short stripes radiate posteriorally from the back of the eye is probably one of the more distinctive features of this fish.  Largemouth Bass are easily distinguished from their close relative, the Smallmouth Bass, by the position of the posterior edge of the jaw relative to the eye;  the jaw of Largemouth Bass extends past the eye, while that of Smallmouth Bass merely extends just under the eye.  Additionally, Smallmouth Bass have a series of short vertical bars instead of the single horizontal stripe down their sides.

Family Percidae

            Percina nigrofasciatus (Blackbanded Darter) Blue Springs

  The Blackbanded Darter is a relatively small (up to 11 cm), slender bodied fish.  This fish is distinguished by the two dorsal fins, its series of 6-8 dark saddles on its back and 12-15 diffuse bars on its side.  The head tapers to a rather beaky rostrum and the eyes are somewhat dorsally located. We have captured a single individual in the lower reaches of the spring run.  

      Family Cichlidae

         Tilapia aurea (Blue Tilapia) Blue Spring --Not native  

   Tilapia are common in the spring run during cold weather because they cannot survive the cold temperatures of the St. Johns River in winter.  During the coldest periods of the winter, Tilapia are visible in the thousands in the lower third of the spring run.  These fish are native to northern Africa, but have become established in the St. Johns River drainage, probably through the release of aquarium fish and escape from fish farms.  Tilapia, like all cichlids have a long dorsal fin, beginning at the level of the operculum and continuing to a point that extends nearly to the end of the caudal fin.  The pectoral fin of Tilapia is also quite long and, if folded forward, would extend nearly to the tip of the snout.  Large males have a bright metallic head, dusky blue side, and blue-black chin and breast.  This species is nearly always seen in schools and can reach 37 cm in length.  Because Tilapia build large nests in the substrate, they are considered to be a destructive alien species.