Need help with Fish ID

[jenazah]

I saw a bunch of these in Catalina Yesterday (9/18). Any idea ? The Divemaster said this is actually a tropical fish. Very rare in So Cal.

 

[Ann Marie]

I'm not sure what they are. They look like French Grunts, but they are not a fish that is found around here. I did see a school of "your" fish at the Casino late in July and thought to myself why are there French Grunts around here??

 

[alaity47]

Blue and Gold Snapper?

http://www.oceanlight.com/spotlight.php?img=03277

Hmm... this made me realize that my "Coastal Fish" book only covers down through Baja. I wonder if they have a Mexico/SA equivalent.

 

[jenazah]

I think that's it. Thanks. Never seen that before.

Blue and Gold Snapper?

http://www.oceanlight.com/spotlight.php?img=03277

Hmm... this made me realize that my "Coastal Fish" book only covers down through Baja. I wonder if they have a Mexico/SA equivalent.

 

[Lexy]

We saw the same type of fish in the schooling behavior, on the first Motivation Boat dive @ Catalina!

Deb - that's got to be the same fish we were trying to figure out! The yellow-greenish tail?

Did the school move in a relaxed, mellow pace? Or were they darty, nervous and moving like they were on a mission? The school I saw were mellow and kinda cruising.

Great shots and thanks for sharing the mystery school

 

[Frank O]

Mmm -- not quite *that* rare at Catalina, if they're what I think they are -- salema -- we were seeing schools of them around May-June ...

These were pretty mellow, as Lexy says. They're not listed in Humann, but you can find them in Gotshall. A neat alternative to the usual mackerel etc ...

 

[scottfiji]

They are definitely Salema. Nice photos! They are not rare in so-cal, but I think they are seasonal.

Here they are at marineland (June 18th):

Here they are at malaga cove (July 31st):

Scott

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

I have seen these guys in the LJ cove as well in the shallows...


Sean

 

[PhotoTJ]

I saw those guys in Italian Gardens saturday.

 

[jenazah]

Did the school move in a relaxed, mellow pace? Or were they darty, nervous and moving like they were on a mission? The school I saw were mellow and kinda cruising.

They were very mellow and relaxed. I was basically in the middle of them.