Texas Inshore Big Three Fish Species
The Red Fish (Sciaenopsocellatus) is a highly prized game fish and food. This fish is also in the same family as the Croaker and the Blackdrum. This fish has a unique mark on its tail that is a black spot and can have several. This fish lives in the bays the first two years of its life (found in the flats frequently) and as it matures the fish moves into the surf zone. The Red Fish feeds on crabs, shrimp, finger mullet, and small Croaker.
The Speckled Trout (Cynoscionnebulosus) is also a highly prized game fish and food. The Trout is related to the Sand Trout. This fish is found in the shallower parts of bays in the spring and Summer time, and in the deeper parts of bays during the colder months. The smaller Trout feeds on small crustaceans, the medium Trout feeds on shrimp and small fish, the large Trout feeds on croaker, mullet, pinfish, and menhaden.
The Flounder (Paralichthys) like the others is a highly prized game fish and food. This fish lives and swims on the bottom of the bay floor on its left side. Because this fish lives like this its eye migrates from the left side of its head to the right side. This fish feeds on many of the same things as the other two fish above.