Gallery
Here are some of the most common Gulf Stream Orphans. Click on the photos below to learn more about each species.
If you don't see a photo of a fish you've sighted, try consulting our Species List on the right. This list is ever-growing with more and more sighting reports coming in! If you've got photos of a GSO not pictured in our gallery below, but would like to submit them, head to our contact page for more info.
Bluespotted Cornetfish - Fistularia tabacaris
Often observed orienting with seagrass beds, these relatives of seahorses and trumpetfish are typically 6-10" in length when seen in New England. They can grow to several feet in length as adults!
Planehead Filefish - Stephanolepis hispidus
One of several filefish species that can be seen in New England waters. These fish have a distictive body shape and dorsal spine or trigger. Coloration can range from light gray, mottled to dark brown.
Permit - Trachinotus falcatus
A member of the fast-moving jack family Carangidae, these fish can grow up to several feet. When seen along the New England coast as GSO's these fish are only a few inches in length.
Short Bigeye - Pristigenys alta
With a facial expression most anyone could love, Short Bigeyes can be found just 1-2" in length as GSO's. Distinguished from Glasseye or Bigeye snappers, they have extremely short bodies from mouth to tail making their profile almost circular.
Spotfin Butterflyfish - Chaetodon ocellatus
The most commonly found GSO, these quick to hide butterflyfish may appear as just a flash of yellow before darting to the nearest hiding place. It's not unusual to find Spotfin Butterflyfish the size of a dime!
Sargassum Fish - Histrio histrio
A member of the frogfish family (Antennariidae) and the anglerfish order (Lophiiformes), these fish perch in floating Sargassum seaweed waiting for their prey. These floating mats of seaweed originate in the subtropical Atlantic and occasionally reach New England waters.
Cowfish
These adorable members of the boxfish family might be hard to find when diving in the Northeast. Sometimes only the size of a bean, these animals tend to reside in seagrass beds.
Plumed Scorpionfish - Scorpaena gradicornis
Masters of disguise and defense, these fish camoflauge well and pack a powerful punch due to venomous spines. Photo credit: The Virginia Living Museum
Foureye Butterflyfish - Chaetodon capistratus
Known for their distinctive false eye-spot at the base of their tail, Foureye Butterflyfish also commonly display dark gray vertical bands as juveniles. Bonus points if you spot the juvenile trunkfish in this photo as well! Photo credit: Maria Mitchell Association
Dwarf Goatfish - Upeneus parvus
While native to the southeastern US and Caribbean as adults, Dwarf Goatfish have been spotted in New England waters due to the Gulf Stream and their pelagic juvenile stage.
Photo: Mike McDevitt
Flying Gurnard - Dactylopterus volitans
The Flying Gurnard is famous for magnificent pectoral fins with vibrant blue coloration. Photo Credit: Maria Mitchell Association
Gag Grouper - Mycteroperca microlepis
Gag grouper are one of several species found as juveniles through the Gulf Stream Orphan phenomenon. These species can be hard to identify in their post-larval and juvenile phases due to drastic color and pattern variations.
Photo: Mary McCarthy, Virginia Aquarium
Snowy Grouper - Epinephelus niveatus
One of a handful of grouper species that can become Gulf Stream Orphans, Snowy Groupers stick out in a crowd thanks to distinct white spots. Photo credit: Maria Mitchell Association
Florida Pompano - Trachinotus carolinus
Another member of the jack family, the Florida Pompano is often confused with the Permit, particularly as juveniles. Pompano often have yellow fin coloration while Permits tend to have shades of orange. Photo credit: Maria Mitchell Association
Lookdown - Selene vomer
Known for their metallic shimmer and distinctive face, Lookdowns are another member of the jack family, Caragidae that can be found in shallow waters along the East Coast of the U.S. As juveniles, this species has long ribbon-like fins. Photo Credit: Katie Marino, Long Island Aquarium.
Atlantic Moonfish - Selene setapinnis
A close relative of the Lookdown, Selene vomer, the Atlantic Moonfish has a more deeply curved ventrum (belly). This species is relatively commonly found as juveniles (approximately 1-2”TL) in the summer months.
Photo credit: Center for Coastal Studies
Doctorfish - Acanthurus chigurus
A member of the tang family, Doctorfish are very close in appearance to Ocean Surgeonfish. The notable difference being faint vertical bars along the sides of the body.
Northern Sennet - Sphyraena borealis
Northern Sennet are a member of the barracuda family. One of the more common seasonal visitors to the Northeastern U.S. during warmer months.
Grey Triggerfish - Balistes capriscus
Often reported as adults in New England during the summer months, this seasonal visitor from more temperate latitudes is likely not a “true” Gulf Stream Orphan. It is likely that this species is merely visiting New England at the top of their geographic range rather than a wayward tropical species that is completely displaced from its native range.
Photo: Michael O’Neill
Glasseye Snapper, H. cruentatus - photo: David Remsen
A member of the bigeye family, H. cruentatus has distinctive orange coloration, mottled markings, and large eyes making it well adapted for low-light reef environments.
Reef Butterflyfish, C. sedentarius - photo: A. Gardner
Similar in appearance to Spotfin Butterflyfish, but far less-commonly reported, Reef Butterflyfish have a distinctive vertical black band at the base of the caudal fin.
Crevalle Jack, C. hippos - photo: @purcellt - iNaturalist
Bandtail Puffer, S. spengleri - photo: Neil DeMaster
Atlantic Spadefish, C. faber - photo: cbjoiner - iNaturalist
Squirrelfish, Holocentrus sp. - photo: ccoysters - iNaturalist
Grey Snapper, L. griseus - photo: zackroyle - iNaturalist
Banded Rudderfish, S. zonata - photo: ppark728 - iNaturalist
Cobia, R. canadum - photo: Robert D Adams - iNaturalist
Tidewater Mojarra, E. harengulus - photo: marinenature - iNaturalist