Fish ID

[michael_cb_125]

While diving for lobsters in Key West the week of Thanksgiving I caught this fish.

Any idea what it may be.

~Michael

 

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks

~Michael

 

[xxtriggermanxx]

I have no Idea what he is , but did you keep him ? cool looking fish.

 

[michael_cb_125]

Anyone?

Some more information on these fish, from my personal experience with them.

I was free diving in shallow water 6'-15'. I was in a reef with TONS of rockwork and very large caves. I was actually swimming into most of them to catch lobsters. These fish hugged the rockwork and looked very much like a blenny while underwater. After catching one and seeing the large teeth, I ruled out blennies.

They were very aggressive towards the French Angels, Blue Angels, Sgt. Majors, Blue Tangs and Porkfish. If any fish got too close to their rock/cave they would attack.

I know the color is dull in the picture but underwater and right after I caught it his color was actually very attractive.

Thanks for any help

BTW water temp was 72

~Michael

 

[michael_cb_125]

The head reminds me of a small grouper, the body texture reminds me of a toadfish and the fins scream blenny to me. Also its stance and posture underwater is very much like many blennies I have kept and seen in the same areas (Key West)

~Michael

 

[LisaD]

not soure, but Humann's ID book for the area should have it - not sure where my copy is or I'd look it up. it also reminds me of a toadfish, but the jaws are too pointed.

 

[kamalehi]

its a Hairy Blenny, Labrisomus nuchipinnis

 

[philter4]

its a Hairy Blenny, Labrisomus nuchipinnis

That is right on, if you brought it home there are several things you should know about it, first they get big, 9-10 inches, and they are mean, very agressive, and will also eat anything (even cleaner fish or shrimp) that get too close.

 

[michael_cb_125]

So I was right with my initial guess.

BTW I did not bring it home.

Thanks for the ID

~Michael

 

[rgentry123]

i was gonna guess some sort of mutant. maybe a blenny that had come into contact with some discarded nuclear waste?