Fishes of the Salish Sea

Fishes of the Salish Sea is the definitive guide to the identification and history of the marine and anadromous fishes of Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca. This comprehensive three-volume set, featuring striking illustrations of the Salish Sea’s 260 fish species by noted illustrator Joseph Tomelleri, details the ecology and life history of each species and recounts the region’s rich heritage of marine research and exploration.

Beginning with jawless hagfishes and lampreys and ending with the distinctive Ocean Sunfish, leading scientists Theodore Wells Pietsch and James Orr present the taxa in phylogenetic order, based on classifications that reflect the most current scientific knowledge. Illustrated taxonomic keys facilitate fast and accurate species identification. These in-depth, thoroughly documented, and yet accessible volumes will prove invaluable to marine biologists and ecologists, natural resource managers, anglers, divers, students, and all who want to learn about, marvel over, and preserve the vibrant diversity of Salish Sea marine life.

Comprehensive accounts of 260 fish species

Brilliant color plates of all treated species

Illustrated taxonomic keys for easy species identification

In-depth history of Salish Sea research and exploration

Theodore Wells Pietsch is professor emeritus in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and curator emeritus of fishes at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, both at the University of Washington. He is the author of Oceanic Anglerfishes: Extraordinary Diversity in the Deep Sea and Trees of Life: A Visual History of Evolution. James Wilder Orr is a fisheries biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, and affiliate professor at the University of Washington. Joseph Tomelleri is a nationally acclaimed fish illustrator.

Contents of Volume OnePreface ixAcknowledgments xiIntroduction 3What Is the Salish Sea? 3What Fishes Are Included? 6The Names of Fishes 7Taxonomic Accounts 8Anatomical Considerations 9Use of the Keys 9About the Illustrations 10Historical Perspective 12Origins and Present Distribution of the Salish Sea Ichthyofauna 44Pictorial Keys to the Families of Salish Sea Fishes 62A Classification of Salish Sea Fishes 77Describers of Salish Sea Fishes 84Glossary 103References 111Index of Biographical Names 195Index of Scientific and Common Names 199Contents of Volume TwoFamily and Species AccountsMyxinidae, Hagfishes 217Petromyzontidae, Lampreys 220Chimaeridae, Chimaeras 225Alopiidae, Thresher Sharks 228Cetorhinidae, Basking Sharks 231Lamnidae, Mackerel Sharks 234Scyliorhinidae, Cat Sharks 237Triakidae, Hound Sharks 240Carcharhinidae, Requiem Sharks 243Hexanchidae, Cow Sharks 246Somniosidae, Sleeper Sharks 251Squalidae, Dogfish Sharks 254Squatinidae, Angel Sharks 257Torpedinidae, Electric Rays 260Rajidae, Skates 263Acipenseridae, Sturgeons 275Nemichthyidae, Snipe Eels 280Engraulidae, Anchovies 283Clupeidae, Herrings and Sardines 285Cyprinidae, Carps 293Bathylagidae, Deepsea Smelts 296Osmeridae, Smelts 299Salmonidae, Salmon and Trouts 312Sternoptychidae, Marine Hatchetfishes 334Stomiidae, Dragonfishes 338Synodontidae, Lizardfishes 341Alepisauridae, Lancetfishes 344Paralepididae, Barracudinas 348Myctophidae, Lanternfishes 351Lampridae, Opahs 366Trachipteridae, Ribbonfishes 369Merlucciidae, Hakes 372Gadidae, Cods 376Atherinopsidae, New World Silversides 384Scomberesocidae, Sauries 388Cyprinodontidae, Pupfishes 391Aulorhynchidae, Tubesnouts 394Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks 397Syngnathidae, Pipefishes 401Scorpaenidae, Rockfishes and Thornyheads 404Moronidae, Temperate Basses 468Bramidae, Pomfrets 471Sciaenidae, Drums and Croakers 475Sphyraenidae, Barracudas 48300i-Carangidae, Jacks 485Embiotocidae, Surfperches 489Trichodontidae, Sandfishes 505Ammodytidae, Sand Lances 508Gobiidae, Gobies 511Trichiuridae, Cutlassfishes 519Scombridae, Mackerels and Tunas 523Centrolophidae, Medusafishes 529Stromateidae, Butterfishes 533Icosteidae, Ragfishes 536Gobiesocidae, Clingfishes 539Plates 1–81 542Index of Biographical Names 627Index of Scientific and Common Names 631Contents of Volume ThreeFamily and Species AccountsAnoplopomatidae, Sablefishes 649Hexagrammidae, Greenlings 652Rhamphocottidae, Grunt Sculpins 667Cottidae, Sculpins 670Hemitripteridae, Sea Ravens 743Agonidae, Poachers 748Psychrolutidae, Fatheads 784Cyclopteridae, Lumpsuckers 796Liparidae, Snailfishes 799Bathymasteridae, Ronquils 826Zoarcidae, Eelpouts 829Stichaeidae, Pricklebacks 843Cryptacanthodidae, Wrymouths 869Pholidae, Gunnels 874Anarhichadidae, Wolffishes 885Ptilichthyidae, Quillfishes 888Zaproridae, Prowfish 890Scytalinidae, Graveldivers 894Ophidiidae, Cusk- eels 896Bythitidae, Viviparous Brotulas 899Batrachoididae, Toadfishes 903Paralichthyidae, Sand Flounders 906Pleuronectidae, Righteye Flounders 912Cynoglossidae, Tonguefishes 946Molidae, Molas 949Plates 82–155 952Index of Biographical Names 1029Index of Scientific and Common Names 1033