Beyond the “Bad Fish”: Other species mentioned in JAWS

In his speech to the great and good of Amity Island, local Fisherman Quint confidently proclaims he’ll catch this “bad fish” in reference to Jaws, but admits it won’t be easy. He goes on to mention other species of fish. 

In fact, fish species and fishing itself are strong themes throughout the film, but if you prefer to remain on dry land, you can always play Big Bass Bonanza at Wizard Slots. Anyway, here are some of the other fish species mentioned in the film.



Tiger Shark



The Tiger Shark is the species initially blamed for the attacks in Jaws, providing a false sense of resolution midway through the film. When local fishermen haul one in, the town is eager to believe the threat has been eliminated. Known for their size, aggression, and indiscriminate feeding habits, tiger sharks are often dubbed the “garbage cans of the sea.”

This reputation makes the misidentification believable within the story, but it also highlights one of the film’s key tensions, human eagerness to accept convenient answers over uncomfortable truths. Hooper’s scepticism about the captured shark ultimately reinforces the idea that nature is far more complex than the townspeople would like to admit.



Shortfin Mako Shark



The Shortfin Mako is referenced by Hooper as he discusses shark behaviour and biology, offering a more scientific counterpoint to Quint’s grizzled storytelling. Makos are among the fastest sharks in the ocean, capable of incredible bursts of speed and dramatic leaps out of the water. Incidentally, the shark on the famous Jaws poster is not a Great White but is, in fact, a Mako shark.

Their inclusion in the dialogue helps ground the film in real marine knowledge, contrasting sharply with the almost mythical qualities assigned to the great white. It also underscores Hooper’s role as the rational voice, someone who respects sharks not as monsters, but as highly evolved predators.


Scup & Thresher Shark



Hooper mentions where his fascination with sharks originated, telling a story about hooking a scup on his fishing boat only for a four and a half foot baby thresher shark to attack the fish and proceed to eat his boat.

This scene features a distraught Brody, who, that day, was slapped in the face by Mrs Kintner following the death of her son. His solution appears to be to drink himself into oblivion before Hooper encourages him to venture out in the Aurora in an attempt to track down the shark.



Blue Gills & Tommycods

These are the species of fish mentioned by Quint in his speech to the townspeople, saying: “I’ll catch this bird for you, but it ain’t going to be easy. Bad fish. Not like going down the pond chasin’ bluegills and tommycods.”

Although saltwater Tommycods may well be present in this environment, bluegills are a freshwater species and would not be swimming the oceans, so this could be deemed as a slight mistake by the writers.


Final Thoughts

It’s true that Jaws himself is not the only fish mentioned in the film, but he is certainly the dominant species. These other types of fish and sharks do, however, play their part, adding further depth and context.