Fish ID - This might be a tough one!

Me again! I have been super busy taking lot's of pictures as I have a photography group in resort at the moment, so lot's of time to take pictures myself!

We have some 'under water danger' markings that have over the years become home for some great critters (tessilated, pale, puff cheek and seaweed blennies to name a few) and whilst I was hunting blennies I took a shot of a juvenile butterfly fish. When I got back to my computer I noticed another fish in the shot, but what is the fish?

The depth was about 10ft, the juvenile butterfly fish was about an inch long, so that gives an idea of size of the other one. Sorry that the image is not so good....

By the way, got to see my first Atlantic Sea Hare today! I did not know that sea slugs got that big, it was approx 10 - 12 inches in length - it was awesome!

Thanks for any help with the fish ID.

All the best,

Kay

St. Vincent.

Hi Kay,

The other fish is a recently settled (post larval) surgeonfish. When the first settle they are completely silvery/transparent. This one is just starting to get pigmentation.

It is most likely either an ocean surgeonfish or doctorfish. I'd go with whichever is most common where you are.

Alex

Alex is correct. It's a post-larval surgeonfish. At this stage, it's impossible to tell (visually) whether it's a blue tang, an ocean surgeonfish, or a doctorfish.

The bodies of most post-larval fishes are transparent, with the exception of a silvery section. It is called the "peritoneum" and is actually the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Hope that helps.

Kris

Great info, Kris.

Thanks

Alex