Anybody know any Rare Atlantic Fish?

[RobbyG]

I am planning to do a "Drive and Dive" Trip around the Island in a few weeks and hopefully I will be able to do a few deep dives 130-180 ft. Just wondering if there are any rare Aquarium size fish I should be looking out for. My first job will be to secure some not so rare Black cap grammers, but after that I will be just looking around.

 

[titoreefs]

it all depends where you are going.first of all you say "a trip around the island" What island are you talking about?
and 2nd It will all depend what type of biotope you go diving.Ive been collecting fish for quite some time in P.R. and there are some things in here that in order to see them you would need to go from one end of the island to the other.Now imagine if you are looking for a rare species.

 

[CaptiveReef]

Rare Atlantic Fish

Rare Atlantic Fish

Here are a few rare species, Palace Trigger, Clingfish, Boar fish.

CaptiveReef

 

[RobbyG]

Titoreefs, it's Jamaica im talking about.

Captivereefguy, thanks for the photo's. What is that last fish called? Is it a deep water fish?

 

[CaptiveReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7623049#post7623049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG
Titoreefs, it's Jamaica im talking about.

Captivereefguy, thanks for the photo's. What is that last fish called? Is it a deep water fish?

It's a Boar fish found mid depth.


CaptiveReef

 

[Steven Pro]

Liopropoma carmabi and L. mowbrayi

 

[JHemdal]

RobbyG,
You would certainly want to check with all local laws before collecting. 25 years or so ago, I used to see a lot of fish coming out of Jamaica, but things changed - and I wonder if that was due to some laws they enacted? Also, you'll need to declare the fish on a USFWS 3-177 when you return to the U.S.


Captivereef,
That boarfish in your photo looks like a Capros aper. They are Atlantic - but from the Eastern side. If anyone collects one in the Western Atlantic, they should contact somebody as that would be a range extension for that species (that wouldn't be totally unexpected as a fish from the same habitat, Macrorhamphosus socolopax/gracilis has since been found on boths sides of the Atlantic as well as in Japan. The western Atlantic boarfish is Antigonia capros, but I don't think they are found within diving depths in the tropics.

Jay Hemdal



Here is some info from Advanced marine Aquarium Techniques:

Boarfish Capros aper Caproidae
Various boarfish are found in temperate and tropical deepwater regions throughout the world. Their large eyes and red coloration is a sure give away that these fish are normally found in low light habitats. A generally peaceful species, boarfish are active predators on small shrimp and fishes. Their red coloration tends to fade if they are stressed or are being kept under less than optimal conditions. In captivity, they soon learn to feed on Euphasia plankton (krill) and diced seafoods.