Fish ID

[Brian1968]

Diving the Black Bart off Panama City Florida in early September we happened across what looked like a species of shark hovering just off the stern of the wreck.

It was, we estimate, about 5' long.

Just forward of the dorsal fin, on the side, was a cross shaped pattern.

Not much information to go on, I know. But anyone have any ideas what it might have been?

 

[SubMariner]

an Amberjack. They can be up to 5 1/2' in length and have a dark diagonal slash running from the lip, across the eye, almost to the dorsal fin.

There are large schools of various jacks that hang around the BB all the time. BTW, did you see all the spadefish in the wheelhouse?

DSDO,

 

[Brian1968]

Looked it up...nope not that one.

It's profile was very very sharklike and the pattern forward of the dorsal fin was a very bold cross. In fact my first impression was that of the fish having the flag of Finland (no pun intended that's exactly what it looked like lol) on it's side.

The wheelhouse was rather popular so my buddy and a couple of others stuck their heads in there while I was hanging over the wheelhouse admiring (and avoiding) some jellyfish. All in all a great dive except the camera didn't work.