Fish ID Help

[dwashbur]

We found this guy yesterday at the Breakwater in about 35 fsw, sort of hiding back in the rocks. The picture is horrible; my camera was having focusing issues at the time. I took two shots of this fish, and the other one is worse. Anyway, I'm hoping somebody can help me ID him, because I can't find a match. The shape doesn't really say rockfish, he's more like some kind of perch, but not really. And the spots are throwing me big time. His eye was kind of yellow, which made me think opaleye, but the spots don't fit at all. So I'm stumped. I know it's not much of a shot to go on, but does anybody have an idea?

Thanks!

 

[dannobee]

I wish the pic was better. The basic shape and fins look like a blacksmith. Common in SoCal, but no so much up here.

Have you tried to sharpen the pic in picasaweb?

 

[cmburch]

I think you're correct. I have seen schools of Blacksmith in the spring at MacAbee Beach.

 

[dwashbur]

I sharpened the pic as best I could in Photoshop. It was even worse before I started. My Canon A630 can take some fantastic pictures, but when it gets in a mood, it really bugs me sometimes.

Blacksmith. I do believe you fellers are correct. Thanks!

 

[emttim]

Blacksmith Perch is what I would say too. I'm surprised you saw one up here...I've seen them down in Channel Islands but never in Monterey.

 

[cmburch]

The aquarium also has them. That is how I recognized the Blacksmith near breakwater from viewing them at the aquarium. There are schools in the spring when the sea lion pups are around. It says that they do not school, but there were many small about 4-5" swimming together or the sea lions were making them swim together.

 

[dwashbur]

Interesting. So it's not only a first for us but it's something unusual for the area. I like that. This guy was probably about 7-8" long and solitary. We were getting buzzed off and on by a group of about 6 sea lions for most of the dive, so I guess it's not surprising that he was back in that crevice hiding!

 

[cmburch]

I think they are common in MB just not as common as Blue Rockfish.

Check out MBA kelp forest cam
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Kelp Forest Exhibit - Live Underwater Kelp Cam