Saltwater species guide
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis
Identification
Deep-bodied, with rounded rear dorsal and anal fins that make the tail end look three-lobed. Color ranges from dark to bronze or mottled.
Habitat & biology
Uses bays and Gulf waters and may float on its side at the surface, resembling debris. Eats shrimp, crabs and small fish.
TPWD identification & biology ↗Bay references & eating guidance
These waters have documented catches. That does not make each one a regular target fishery.
Galveston Bay
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis17-inch minimum; no maximum listed · 3 daily
Other catch · identification→
Matagorda Bay
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis17-inch minimum; no maximum listed · 3 daily
Additional fishery→
Aransas Bay
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis17-inch minimum; no maximum listed · 3 daily
Other catch · identification→
Copano Bay
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis17-inch minimum; no maximum listed · 3 daily
Other catch · identification→
Corpus Christi Bay
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis17-inch minimum; no maximum listed · 3 daily
Other catch · identification→
Baffin Bay
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis17-inch minimum; no maximum listed · 3 daily
Other catch · identification→
Upper Laguna Madre
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis17-inch minimum; no maximum listed · 3 daily
Other catch · identification→
Lower Laguna Madre
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis17-inch minimum; no maximum listed · 3 daily
Other catch · identification→