Fish of the United States Trivia Quiz

This quiz covers fish native to the USA -- from Hawaii to Virginia.

A multiple-choice quiz by wmshipman. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
wmshipman

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
179,205

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
2385

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. This fish is commonly called either a reef triggerfish or a Picasso triggerfish. What do they call it in Hawaii? Hint

Humuhumu nukunuku apua'a

Kokala

Moa

Nunu

NEXT>

2. This bizarre-looking fish can be found all up and down the Atlantic seaboard. What is the common name for the Prionotus evolans? Hint

Flounder

Striped searobin

Hickory shad

Alewife

3. If you've been fishing in the Atlantic Ocean or the Chesapeake Bay, and you've ever gotten one of these unbelievably ugly little suckers caught on your fishing line, you've probably had a devil of a time getting it off. What's the common name for the nasty devil called Opsanus tau? Hint

Greater soapfish

Sawcheek cardinalfish

Tuleperch

Oyster toadfish

NEXT>

4. I love eating salmon as much as the next guy. What is the genus name of the chinook, coho, chum, pink and sockeye species? Hint

Tinca

Oncorhyncus

Catostomus

Micropterus

NEXT>

5. Micropogonias undulatus is known for its vocalizations once you've reeled them in. What do most folks call it? Hint

Atlantic croaker

Atlantic gruntfish

Atlantic crooner

Atlantic whistlefish

NEXT>

6. These freckled fellows are friendly enough if not provoked, but that doesn't stop them from startling snorkelers and SCUBA divers in the Pacific! What do most people call Gymnothorax meleagris? Hint

Stareye parrotfish

Whitemouth moray eel

Variegated lizardfish

Psychedelic wrasse

NEXT>

7. This delicious fish is a favorite with sport anglers, and recent efforts to raise the fish in an aquaculture facility (fish farm) proved successful at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. What's the common name for Rachycentron canadum? Hint

Haddock

Blue catfish

Cobia

Striped bass

NEXT>

8. Some folks call them striped bass, some call them stripers, some call them rockfish. What's the scientific name for this fish? Hint

Rhinecanthus rectangulus

Acipenser transmontanus

Morone saxatilis

Ogcocephalus nasutus

NEXT>

9. These suckers love hanging around sharks, and can be found all over the world, including off the coast of the United States. What does the average person call Echeneis naucrates? Hint

Plasterfish

Sharksucker

Bloodfish

Gumheads

NEXT>

10. If you are ever in Florida, be sure to go fishing for these wonderful sport fish. You can tell them by the black line that stretches all the way down their side. While scientists call them Centropomus undecimalis, I prefer to call them what? Hint

Snook

Tarpon

Bonefish

Wahoo

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This fish is commonly called either a reef triggerfish or a Picasso triggerfish. What do they call it in Hawaii?

Answer: Humuhumu nukunuku apua'a

The Picasso triggerfish has a truly unique look, and can be found on Hawaiian reefs (and Hawaiian hats, Hawaiian t-shirts, Hawaiian coffee mugs . . .). The other names are Hawaiian for: moa = trunkfish, kokala = porcupine pufferfish, and nunu = trumpetfish.

2. This bizarre-looking fish can be found all up and down the Atlantic seaboard. What is the common name for the Prionotus evolans?

Answer: Striped searobin

These odd-looking fish are found on sandy seabottoms, and love to feed on mollusks and crustaceans. Come to think of it, I love to eat mollusks and crustaceans too!

Answer: Oyster toadfish

These things seem to be all mouth -- in more ways than one. Once they take your bait it is very difficult to get them off the line, and they are also known for the loud grunting noises they make. They are all too common in my native Chesapeake Bay watershed.

4. I love eating salmon as much as the next guy. What is the genus name of the chinook, coho, chum, pink and sockeye species?

Answer: Oncorhyncus

Representatives from all of these genus groups can be found in California.

5. Micropogonias undulatus is known for its vocalizations once you've reeled them in. What do most folks call it?

Answer: Atlantic croaker

Common in the southeastern USA, these fish are fun to catch and live up to their name with their loud croaking sound.

Answer: Whitemouth moray eel

All of these fish are Pacific reef dwellers, and make for interesting viewing if you're ever snorkeling off the coast of Hawaii.

Answer: Cobia

Cobia can reach over six feet in length, and may weigh upwards of 100 pounds (though the average weight is considerably less).

8. Some folks call them striped bass, some call them stripers, some call them rockfish. What's the scientific name for this fish?

Answer: Morone saxatilis

Acipenser transmontanus is the white sturgeon, Ogcocephalus nasutus is the distinctly odd-looking shortnose batfish, and Rhinecanthus rectangulus is our old friend the Picasso triggerfish.

9. These suckers love hanging around sharks, and can be found all over the world, including off the coast of the United States. What does the average person call Echeneis naucrates?

Answer: Sharksucker

I pretty much gave this one away with the question, but you deserve an easy one. Besides sharks, they are also known to attach themselves to sea turtles, boats, or just about anything else of any real size that can be found in the ocean.

Answer: Snook

I've known people who devoted the entirety of their vacation time to driving all over the state of Florida in order to fish for Snook.

Source: Author wmshipman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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