5 replies to this topic

[JasonL]

Down in Mexico this week on vacation and saw some small fish in a reef like habitat on the beach where we were snorkeling/shelling and snapped a few pics. This area is in the Gulf of Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula but I'm thinking these species are along the U.S. coast as well and was hoping some of you saltwater/brackish folks might have some thoughts.

Beach/Reef setting. Fish were in less than a foot of water right near the reef rock.
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First fish had very darter like behavior underwater. Wondered about some sort of goby (eg. Darter goby) or blenny

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These next fish liked to dart in and out of the reef

?Juvenile pinfish or sheepshead

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?juvenile Permit

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Thoughts appreciated.

[MtFallsTodd]

The second fish looks like a sergeant major damsel.

[littlen]

As common as they are, I'd agree.  Could also be a juvenile Night Sergeant.  Cool finds.

Yes on Permit.

[gerald]

Gobies look like Bathygobius sp., Frillfin Goby or a related species. 

[rc6750]

Check this paper out on frillfin species - may help you out. they kind of look like B. lacertus, but they can be tricky

 

http://www.dcbd.nl/s...Bathygobius.pdf

 

I was just in the same area (Cozumel) and caught this one I identified as B. lacertus

 

[JasonL]

Thanks all, good info.