Floridian Fish ID?!?!

[sarita75]

Hi all. My friend took this picture of during her dives in Florida - off the Ft. Lauderdale coast. She says it is about 1-2 inches and ... well, see the picture. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[Walter]

It's a Sharpnosed Puffer or related species.

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

Thanks! I think that may be right! Now to figure out which type of Sharpnose Puffer it is!!

 

[sarita75]

Puffer was my first inclination because of the eyes and the formation of the head. But I don't know much about fish in any neck of the woods, much less that one!

Thanks Walter! You rock!

 

[archman]

Thanks! I think that may be right! Now to figure out which type of Sharpnose Puffer it is!!

I think there's just the one species in that neck of the woods. And I think Walter's right about it's ID. Canthigaster rostrata.

 

[sarita75]

http://fins.actwin.com/marine-pics/Canthigaster_rostrata.jpg

that's pretty cute. Does it "puff" - spiny puff? Or just expand its body?

 

[ryan115]

I believe it is Canthigaster rostrata though there is another species that is extremely similar to this one and found in the same area, Canthigaster jamestyleri, the Gold Faced Toby. When I get to work tomorrow I can look over some literature and try to get a positive ID on this little guy

 

[archman]

http://fins.actwin.com/marine-pics/Canthigaster_rostrata.jpg

that's pretty cute. Does it "puff" - spiny puff? Or just expand its body?

This type isn't spined. But it sure puffs up real good when you catch it in a net. Hee hee.

As puffers, go, sharpnosed's are the "cockroach puffers" of the northern Caribbean. The silly little things are found nearly everywhere.

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

It is so so cute!!

Isn't it so amazing how much variety of creatures we see underwater! So awe inspiring!!!!