
Reef Fish

Species on North Carolina’s Artificial Reefs
Many of the species seen on North Carolina’s Artificial Reefs can be found inshore or nearshore, as well as offshore. Below is a general, but not exhaustive list of what you might find while fishing the state’s artificial reefs.
Inshore and/or Nearshore Species |
Species | Common Name | Scientific Name | Also Known As |
 | Black drum | Pogonias cromis | Drum |
 | Bluefish | Pomatomus saltatrix | Blues, snappers, choppers, Taylor blues |
 | Cobia | Rachycentron canadum | Ling, lemonfish |
 | King mackerel | Scomberomorus cavalla | Kings, kingfish, snakes, smokers |
 | Red drum | Sciaenops ocellatus | Channel bass, redfish, puppy drum, spottail bass |
 | Sheepshead | Archosargus probatocephalus | Convict fish |
 | Southern flounder | Paralichthys lethostigma | Flounder, flat fish |
 | Gulf flounder | Paralichthys albigutta | Flounder, flat fish |
 | Spanish mackerel | Scomberomorus maculatus | Spanish |
 | Spotted seatrout | Cynoscion nebulosus | Speckled trout, southern spotted weakfish, speck |
 | Gray trout ( Weakfish) | Cynoscion regalis | Gray trout, trout, weakfish |
 | Black sea bass | Centropristis striata | Blackfish, Atlantic sea bass, bass, rock bass, old humpback, pinbass |
Offshore Species Inshore and/or Nearshore Species |
Species | Common Name | Scientific Name | Also Known As |
 | Black sea bass | Centropristis striata | Blackfish, Atlantic sea bass, bass, rock bass, old humpback, pinbass |
 | Dolphin fish | Coryphaena hippurus | Dolphinfish, mahi mahi |
 | Gag grouper | Mycteroperca microlepis | Black grouper, gag |
 | Gray triggerfish | Balistes capriscus | Triggerfish, taly, leatherjacket, leatherneck |
 | Greater amberjack | Seriola dumerili | Amberjack, jack |
 | Vermilion snapper | Rhomboplites aurorubens | Beeliner |
How do fish use the reefs?
Some marine fish species require reef habitat to survive while others gain a direct benefit from reef habitat, but are able to survive without it. The following information discusses how demersal (bottom) fish, baitfish, and pelagic (open water) fish relate to reef habitat.
Demersal (bottom) Fishes
Bottom dwellers such as black sea bass and gray triggerfish need reef habitat to survive. Bottom dwellers typically cluster under overhangs, cavities and crevices found on the reef. The nooks and crannies found in the reef provide refuge from larger predatory fishes. These areas also provide a large menu of mobile food.
Reef Fishes
Reef fishes make excursions away from the food abundant reefs to feed on worms and clams and other fauna living in or on the open sandy bottom. Soon after feeding, they return to the safety of the reef.
Schooling Baitfish
Baitfish, such as menhaden, school around high-profile reef structure like sunken ships. Why? Some say baitfish use high profile structure as a directional reference point. Others say they use the structure’s shadow to conceal themselves from predatory fish. Regardless of why, schooling bait fishes only temporarily abide at reefs before moving to other areas.
Pelagic (open water) Fishes
9u Pelagic (open water) species such as bluefish, cobia, Spanish mackerel, and dolphin fish are high in the reef food chain and use the hardened habitat for feeding purposes. Pelagic fish are attracted to the bait fishes found around the reef, but are only transients. Reefs are not a requirement of their life cycle.