Please help me identify this fish!

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gtexan

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This sounds crazy, I know, but I really need to know what I saw

I was at Champagne Reef in Dominica.

I was in somewhat open water, about 5-7 feet deep, not too close to any large coral formations.

I saw this light purple or maybe blue fish. The fish was pretty close to the surface, maybe a foot or two down. It was shaped, if I remember correctly, kind of like a freshwater angelfish but more elongated and less tall. The visibility wasn't excellent, so the color could also be slightly off.

The fish was probably 4-6 inches in length.

The most striking feature, however, were the incredibly long trails coming off the fish. From both the pectoral and dorsal fin, there were long trails of about 10+ inches. I dont think they were coming from the tailfin, but not sure.

The "trails" im referring to look sort of like the long process on the top of this fish, however, they were much, much longer.

EDIT: Won't let me post the URL, will have to make some more posts first

I didn't think it was so rare, so didn't get a good enough look at it. It was sort of sitting in one place in the water, just sort of staying stationary. The trails were sort of zig zagging in place.

When I say trails, Im referring to a part of the fish. Not like a trail of water, but like a long string attached to the fish.

My camera, of course, died before I could take a picture.

Any idea what this is??
 
Some kind of juvenile Pompano?

Chug
Has eaten Pompano....yummy!
 
The most striking feature, however, were the incredibly long trails coming off the fish. From both the pectoral and dorsal fin, there were long trails of about 10+ inches. I dont think they were coming from the tailfin, but not sure.

The "trails" im referring to look sort of like the long process on the top of this fish, however, they were much, much longer.

Something like this?

Alectis_ciliaris,I_RR988.jpg
 
That could very well be it. What is that? The water was a little hazy, but I thought it was blue or purple. It also looked more "tropical", but again, it could be the visibility issue
 
On second thought, Im positive thats what it was.
 
I found this link on google images that matches it exactly. I wish I could post it here. I'll post a few more times so I can post it:)
 
That could very well be it. What is that? The water was a little hazy, but I thought it was blue or purple. It also looked more "tropical", but again, it could be the visibility issue

On second thought, Im positive thats what it was.

I found this link on google images that matches it exactly. I wish I could post it here. I'll post a few more times so I can post it:)

That's the Juvenile African Pompano that the others suggested.
 
One down, one to go (I apologize for this, I just want to post the picture sooner :))
 
Ok, this is exactly what I saw.

Thank you guys SO much. I was sure I wouldn't be able to find it before asking here, and no one believed me! :)

ulua-kihikihijuvenile.jpg


This is literally exactly what I saw. If I had had a camera, my picture would have been identical to this one.


This forum is amazing. Thank you all so, so much!!


Next question: Are these rare to see? In the Caribbean?
 

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