Fish Species
The following is a list of the main target fish species found in Trinidad and Tobago. Information found here can be safely used for conservation purposes, such as maturity size and IUCN status. Most of the data has been obtained from www.fishbase.org. The fish have been arranged alphabetically in their respective family.
Click on the fish name or picture for more photos and information on their biology.
Barracuda (Family Sphyraenidae)
Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)
Maturity at: 58 cm in length
Max Published Size: 200 cm and 110 pounds
TnT Record: 73 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Chris Tucker
Billfishes (Family Istiophoridae)
Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans)
Maturity at: 50 cm in length
Max Published Size: 500 cm and 1400 pounds
TnT Record: 1006 pounds (official)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from Feb to June
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Photo courtesy Scott Portelli
Longbill Spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri)
Maturity at: 135 cm in length
Max Published Size: 254 cm and 128 pounds
TnT Record: 45 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Jax Pier Fishing
Sailfish (Istiophorus albicans)
Maturity at: 120 cm in length
Max Published Size: 315 cm and 128 pounds
TnT Record: 80 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Livetropicalfish.net
Maturity at: 130 cm in length
Max Published Size: 300 cm and 181 pounds
TnT Record: 110 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Photo courtesy Hank Draper
Bonefish (Family Albulidae)
Maturity at: 21 cm in length
Max Published Size: 104 cm and 22 pounds
TnT Record: 12 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Near threatened
Photo courtesy casablancafishing.com
Cobia (Family Rachycentridae)
Maturity at: 43 cm in length
Max Published Size: 200 cm and 150 pounds
TnT Record: 105 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from May to Sep
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Josh Fritz
Dolphinfish (Family Coryphaenidae)
Dolphinfish, Mahi-Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)
Maturity at: 50 cm in length
Max Published Size: 210 cm and 96 pounds
TnT Record: 70 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from Nov to May
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Brett Thompson
Groupers (Family Serranidae)
Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci)
Maturity at: 58 cm in length
Max Published Size: 150 cm and 220 pounds
TnT Record: 75 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Near threatened
Photo courtesy Darren Mahabir
Goliath Grouper, Jewfish (Epinephelus itajara)
Maturity at: 130 cm in length
Max Published Size: 250 cm and 900 pounds
TnT Record: 725 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from June to Nov
IUCN status: Endangered
Photo courtesy Christopher Scott
Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus)
Maturity at: 48 cm in length
Max Published Size: 122 cm and 55 pounds
TnT Record: 25 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Endangered
Photo courtesy Florent Charpin
Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio)
Maturity at: 35 cm in length
Max Published Size: 125 cm and 52 pounds
TnT Record: 20 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Near threatened
Photo courtesy Reid Murphy
Warsaw Grouper (Hyporthodus nigritus)
Maturity at: 120 cm in length
Max Published Size: 230 cm and over 440 pounds
ThT Record: 246 pounds (official)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Critically endangered
Photo courtesy NOAA
Yellowmouth Grouper (Mycteroperca interstitialis)
Maturity at: 32 cm in length
Max Published Size: 84 cm and 23 pounds
TnT Record: 17 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Photo courtesy Doug Perrin
Jacks & Pompanos (Family Carangidae)
African Pompano (Alectis ciliaris)
Maturity at: 50 cm in length
Max Published Size: 150 cm and 56 pounds
TnT Record: 35 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Johnson L
Maturity at: 80 cm in length
Max Published Size: 190 cm and 176 pounds
TnT Record: 90 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Richard Parkinson
Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana)
Maturity at: 60 cm in length
Max Published Size: 160 cm and 130 pounds
TnT Record: 45 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Flower Garden NOAA
Maturity at: 38 cm in length
Max Published Size: 100 cm and 40 pounds
TnT Record: 26 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Flower Garden NOAA
Crevalle, Cavalli (Caranx hippos)
Maturity at: 66 cm in length
Max Published Size: 124 cm and 70 pounds
TnT Record: 54 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Garold Sneegas
Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus)
Maturity at: 34 cm in length
Max Published Size: 101 cm and 35 pounds
TnT Record: 35 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Richard Parkinson
Permit, Pompano (Trachinotus falcatus)
Maturity at: 48 cm in length
Max Published Size: 122 cm and 79 pounds
TnT Record: 62 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Martin Dick
Rainbow Runner (Elagatis bipinnulata)
Maturity at: 30 cm in length
Max Published Size: 130 cm and 39 pounds
TnT Record: 19 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Reid Murphy
Yellow Jack (Carangoides bartholomaei)
Maturity at: 32 cm in length
Max Published Size: 100 cm and 31 pounds
TnT Record: 26 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Florent Charpin
Mackerels & Tunids (Family Scombridae)
Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus)
Maturity at: 49 cm in length
Max Published Size: 108 cm and 46 pounds
TnT Record: 38 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Taylor Deemer
Bonito (Euthynnus alletteratus)
Maturity at: 42 cm in length
Max Published Size: 122 cm and 35 pounds
TnT Record: 18 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy equipe-worldfish.com
Cero Mackerel, Carite (Scomberomorus regalis)
Maturity at: 38 cm in length
Max Published Size: 122 cm and 18 pounds
TnT Record: 15 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy equipe-worldfish.com
King Mackerel, Kingfish (Scomberomorus cavalla)
Maturity at: 45 cm in length
Max Published Size: 184 cm and 100 pounds
TnT Record: 76 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from June to Sep
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Jax Pier Fishing
Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri)
Maturity at: 85 cm in length
Max Published Size: 250 cm and over 180 pounds
ThT Record: 103 pounds (official)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from Nov to Apr
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy hawaiideepseafishing
Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Maturity at: 78 cm in length
Max Published Size: 239 cm and 440 pounds
TnT Record: 142 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Near threatened
Photo courtesy Chris Coates
Snappers (Family Lutjanidae)
Cubera Snapper, (Lutjanus cyanopterus)
Maturity at: 60 cm in length
Max Published Size: 160 cm and 125 pounds
TnT Record: 124 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from June to Nov
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Photo courtesy Gar Cullen
Dog Snapper, Pargue (Lutjanus jocu)
Maturity at: 32 cm in length
Max Published Size: 128 cm and 63 pounds
TnT Record: 34 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from June to Nov
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Jose Cabo
Mangrove Snapper, Black Pargue (Lutjanus griseus)
Maturity at: 21 cm in length
Max Published Size: 89 cm and 44 pounds
TnT Record: 9 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Richard Parkinson
Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis)
Maturity at: 41 cm in length
Max Published Size: 94 cm and 34 pounds
TnT Record: 30 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Photo courtesy Christian Reece
Red Snapper, Redfish (Lutjanus campechanus)
Maturity at: 25 cm in length
Max Published Size: 100 cm and 51 pounds
TnT Record: 30 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Greg McFall
Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus)
Maturity at: 25 cm in length
Max Published Size: 67 cm and 23 pounds
TnT Record: 10 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy livetropicalfish.net
Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus)
Maturity at: 29 cm in length
Max Published Size: 86 cm and 10 pounds
TnT Record: 7 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy Florent Charpin
Snook (Family Centropomidae)
Snook, Brochet (Centropomus undecimalis)
Maturity at: 42 cm in length
Max Published Size: 140 cm and 53 pounds
TnT Record: 38 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from July to Oct
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy pixshark.com
Swordfish (Family Xiphiidae)
Maturity at: 156 cm in length
Max Published Size: 455 cm and 1430 pounds
TnT Record: 700 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Least concern
Photo courtesy fishingislamorada.com
Tarpon (Family Megalopidae)
Maturity at: 130 cm in length
Max Published Size: 250 cm and 355 pounds
TnT Record: 220 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round with peaks from June to Oct
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Photo courtesy Brett Thompson
Wrasses (Family Labridae)
Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus)
Maturity at: 18 cm in length
Max Published Size: 91 cm and 24 pounds
TnT Record: 15 pounds (unofficial)
TnT Season: Year round
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Photo courtesy Brian Head
