Fish ID for Tiny Angelfish From Florida?

[sam11909]

I found this fish when I was collecting in the grass beds near Panacea, FL. I've seen them before but never tried to ID them. He started eating the day I brought him back. He's less than an inch long, shaped like an angelfish, and has very large pelvic fins.

Thanks for any help!

 

[small alien]

I don't think it's an angel. Looks more like a mutated damsel to me. Neat looking little fish.

 

[jbowen]

batfish?

 

[rssjsb]

Looks like a bat to me too.

 

[sam11909]

Thanks, it definitely looks like some kind of a batfish, but what kind? I couldn't find much on them in florida waters.

 

[29reef]

Maybe it's an aquarium transplant. It does look like a batfish to me as well. I think it gets BIG; I can't remember the species off the top of my head.

 

[sedgro]

Juvenile spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber.

 

[michael_cb_125]

I agree with Sedgro on the very young spadefish.

~Michael

 

[sam11909]

It's definitely a juvenile spadefish.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Chaetodipterus+faber&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=oLJnQjWjZVKWAM:&imgrefurl=http://zooplancton.com.br/products/Chaetodipterus-faber-(atlantic-spadefish)-Paru-Branco.html&docid=Iz9qypIpPELmnM&w=800&h=800&ei=wwhlTsmtO8qztweg3cGqCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=212&vpy=93&dur=293&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=146&ty=117&page=9&tbnh=170&tbnw=212&start=195&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:195&biw=1536&bih=866

Thanks for the help!

 

[SushiGirl]

So what are you going to do with it when it gets huge?

 

[sam11909]

Probably take it back next time I go collecting.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Probably take it back next time I go collecting.

Bad idea. You should never release a fish back into the ocean after it's been kept in captivity. You risk the chance of introducing unknown pathogens.

 

[SushiGirl]

Pretty sure it's illegal to do that in Florida, isn't it?

 

[lhm nole]

Pretty sure it's illegal to do that in Florida, isn't it?

Yes it is

 

[sam11909]

I've never really understood that. I'd hate to have to kill him. Can someone explain what pathogens might be introduced. Has this happened before? I'd love to learn a little more about it. Articles?

 

[sam11909]

So I guess I'm stuck with it. Maybe I can find somebody with a 300g+ FO tank.

 

[sam11909]

I could always keep him until he gets too big for the tank. They are edible right? :lolspin:

 

[SushiGirl]

http://www.orlandotropicalfishstore.com/orlando-tropical-fish-store-freeing-nemo.html
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/dont_release.html

 

[sam11909]

Here we go...

http://bestamericanfood.net/spade-fish-recipes-spicy-spadefish

 

[sam11909]

Thanks sushigirl!