Cozumel

We just returned from Cozumel. Kristen and I had our dive guide all to ourselves and upon our request, we dove some sites most people wouldn't waste their time with. The coral wasn't spectacular and the visibility was less than 50 feet but there were some nice juveniles and crustaceans. I have posted a few shots so please feel free to browse and leave comments.

scottyb

Can anyone ID this guy? I can't find him in Humann's. His eyes are similar to a red spotted hawkfish I shot on an earlier trip, but he was much smaller, less than 1".

Looks like a member of the Hawkfish family...

I was thinking it might be but Humann's doesn't show one in it's juvenile phase. It does say that the redspotted hawkfish is the only hawkfish found in the Atlantic/Caribean.

Hi Scotty,

Thanks for sharing your photos. I'm not sure which one I like best, but I'm partial to inverts...

The fish is a kind of "basslet" or "bass" but I can't remember the common name at the moment. It's not a hawkfish, as it has a swim bladder and doesn't always rest on the bottom like hawkfishes do.

Have you tried Fishbase.org using a caribbean search on "basslets" perhaps?

Cheers

James

Harlequin bass?

Harlequin bass?

Roger,

I think you are correct - this is indeed a juvenile Harlequin Bass. It is also possible it is a juvenile Lantern Bass, but the pointed head and size would tend to pont to the Harlequin.

M

Very nice shrimp, Scotty.

I hear from Vickie you're considering the Sipidan Photo Contest next year. Very exciting, but try to go a little early if you can.

Hey Craig! I think we are all but signed up. Your photos and trip report sold it for me. When you say early, how early?

It's an advantage to get there a few days ahead to get comfortable with the diving arrangements and get some low-stress dive days. The contest alters how the daily diving goes and *everyone* will be a photographer. Not bad, just different. Vickie plans for her immediate group to get there ahead for that reason. She's happy to make special arrangements though.