What pictures of fish should I take to make identifying easier

Nature Talk
1

Ive recently started catching as many different species of fish as I can, but i dont know what to take pictures of. Is there some catch all method to take good pictures or should I just take a bunch of pictures.

2 Likes
2

Clear, in focus pictures that are cropped so the subject takes up most of the frame goes a very long way.

Photos from multiple angles are always useful and for some fish having the fins clearly photographed can help with identification.

Good luck!

2 Likes
3

from what I remember, for some groups it is very good you take a photo pf dorsal and anal fin(s) in such a way that the rays can be counted; as well as a close up of the face so different pores might be visible

1 Like
4

First you have to be fast, have the camera ready before you take the fish out the water. If you handle the fish, wet your hands. Having had my fair share of bites, stings and two poisonings, I’ve found it best to invest in a lipgrabber, then gently lay the fish down and then take pictures as quickly as possible of the whole fish, the tail, the head, the dorsal fins and other fins so the rays an be counted for adults. If there is time, teeth and barbs are also good. The advantage of lipgrabbers is that you can unhook easily, take your photos faster and you control a flapping fish easier, especially on a boat. Most lipgrabbers also give you weight, so you can annotate for adult or juvenile.

1 Like
5

(edited the title to specify that the question is about fish)

1 Like
6

The mouth for bass.

7

Generally at the bear minimum, I like to get a good side profile with minimal reflections (compare the photos of this fish to this fish). Like other people have said, getting good photos of the fins to count fin rays and determine overall fin shape helps with identifying just about any fish species (like the dorsal fin here). As for some taxa-specific recommendations:

  • For catfish, a photo of the barbels under their mouth from their underside (like this)
  • For stickleback, their dorsal spines sticking up so that they can be counted (like this)
  • For suckers and minnows with downward-facing mouths, a photo of their mouth shape (like this)

Of course, clear, high-definition photos are appreciated whenever possible, but fish tend not to cooperate often. I find that catch cups or dipnets/landing nets often help to restrain fish, but I’ve even had fish manage to jump out of those.

8

if they are small enough, you can buy or make a portable tank that will allow you to photograph or just observe the fish (or other aquatic organism) from the side.