Unidentified Fish Fort Wetherill 9/4

[UnderH2OView]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know what this fish is? If I had to guess a Juvenile Spotted Grouper? Can't seem to find any fish that exactly match it and haven't seen one like this previous years during tropical season. Looks like there is a fish tail hanging out of its mouth.

 

[RIOceanographer]

Juvenile snowy grouper

 

[UnderH2OView]

Thanks. That's what is so fun with these tropicals, seems like every year I find one I haven't seen prior seasons.

 

[dpaine11]

Yes, that's definitely what it is. I've seen two there so far this year. I kept one in my tank for a while until I let it go when it was about 10 inches. I put in a couple of native fish in with it and he ended up eating both of them. One with the tail sticking out just like your picture.

I see you're from the Attleboro area. I'm in North Attleboro. Let me know if you looking for a buddy. The guy I usuallu dive with is sick and then will be away for a few weeks. I often go looking for tropicals and have an aquarium full of them. dpaine11@comcast.net

 

[dpaine11]

P.S. I could probably go tomorrow afternoon (the 7th).

 

[jpiolu]

How big was your snowy grouper? I saw a 2 inch one last night at Ft. Wetherill. It was hiding next to one of the rubber tires in the cove with the boat ramp.

Diving at Ft. W. last night was fantastic. A couple of times we were in a soup of comb jellies mixed with something smaller that all lit up when touched. After shielding my light, I waved my hand through the mass of them and watched the light show. Lobsters were all over the rocks and nearby sandy areas. I only saw one of legal size, though.

My buddy got lots of photos, including one of a hake, but the grouper didn't hang around quite long enough to have his picture taken.

There were lots of blue crabs.

Viz was 6 - 8 feet.