Can anyone ID this fish?

[jwvanno]

Not much to go on with this image, but can anyone help ID this fish??

It was cautiously curious, repeatedly poking out 1/2 a body length, and retreating. I lured it out a full body length with a rope tip, but as soon as it nipped at the rope and found it wasn't eadible, it retreated before I could get a picture.

I think it was in the neighborhood of 3-5 inches, but I could be wrong...

It was at around 19 feet, while beach diving off Venice, FL in the Gulf.

Now, I'm just trying to put a name with a face.

Thanks!

 

[Hydrophobic]

That's not a fish, It's Gollum!!!

 

[DennisW]

It's a type of Jawfish, maybe a Dusky Jawfish.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Yeah, looks like a dusky jawfish.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Definitely a jawfish, most likely a dusky, as mentioned above...
Next time you run across one, back off a few feet and be still. You'll get a wonderful show as he hovers above his home and darts here & there to pick plankton bits that pass nearby. Truly a joy to watch.
Rick

 

[jwvanno]

Thanks to everyone!

I got the same "Dusky Jawfish" answer from a friend, since this post. So it appears unanimous.

I will definitely watch longer next time.

Thanks again.