Need help with ID

[sharpenu]

I think the fish in this picture is a Whitetip Soldierfish. My reference material tells me that the Whitetip Soldierfish is only found in the Pacific near Micronesia, Hawaii, Japan and Austrailia. This particular picture was taken in 60 feet of water off the coast of West Palm Beach, FL. Can any of you ID this fish?

http://members.tripod.com/fldivemaster/id43.htm

 

[Stone]

It looked like a local variety we call a "Bigeyed Soldier Fish" so I type that into "Google". There is no picture of the USA version, but the Indio-Pacific version is a ringer for the local guy.

Here's the link to it on Fish Base

 

[Dee]

It's a Blackbar Soldierfish. Very common in Florida and the Caribbean. It's sometimes confused with the Squirrelfishes but the 'black bar' behind the gill plate is the clue.

If you have the book 'Reef Fish Identifcation' by Paul Humann, it's on page 219.

 

[Walter]

Dee, are you sure? It looks like a Dusky Damselfish to me.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[Dee]

Originally posted by Walter
Dee, are you sure? It looks like a Dusky Damselfish to me.

DSSW,

WWW™

Pphhbbbtttttt!!!!

 

[Walter]

Oh that one.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[sharpenu]

Dee,

I originally thought it was a blackbar as well, but the bar behind the gill slit isn't as dark as the ones in ANY of my fish books or ID cards.

 

[Dee]

It could be just a difference in coloration intensity. Most all fish, to the best of my knowledge, can vary in coloration lightness/darkness to help their camoflage in the surroundings.

I still think it's a Blackbar.

 

[jmsdiver]

And here I thought that you were having trouble with Iguana Don......damn, there goes my answer

 

[Stone]

Here's a composite of Sharpenu's fish with the Bigeye Soldier and Blackbar Soldier. I can't tell the difference between the Bigeye and Blackbar.