today i went snorkling and causght...

[whitepines1]

Very cool! My friend caught a queen in Florida while he was there and brought it back in his suitecase.
I did the same thing in Hawaii. I was able to get a permit and collect fish for myself. I then packed them and just brought them back in my suitecase also. they are all still alive today and this was over 6 months ago.

 

[murphysfish]

super cool ! have had big tangs and angels but i like them the most when they are small

 

[ackee]

The Queen is actually a Blue Angel. It's identical to the juvenile Blues we see from time to time here in NJ, in late Summer. The main difference between Juvenile Blues and Queens is the central perpendicular body bar. In Queens it's curved, in Blues (like yours) it's straight. As the fish matures, the differences become much more obvious. There are many more Blues in Florida and states north, while Queens are more common further south. Their ranges overlap a lot, in Florida and the Bahamas especially. They hybridize often. The hybrid young are sometimes called Townsend Angels.

Thet grow very large fairly quickly, and if not kept in a large aquarium become deformed and stunted, if they survive at all.

 

[philter4]

Ackee, it is more likely a townsend then a blue, the colors of the blue angel are yellow while the queen is orange, but you are right about the bars, they are more like a blue then queen so it is most likely a hybrid. Nice catch, both the fish and the ID.

Here in south east FL, there are about an equal # of blues and queens and even hybrids, the further south you go the more queens there are the further north the more blues, but all along the southern east coast of FL close to 50/50. It is interesting that in the keyes there are still lots of both, but you go up the west coast and there are very few to no queens even though at the same latitude on the east there are lots of queens.

 

[ackee]

Philter4, I've seen a small number of Queens on the west coast of Florida in the summer, when water temps are high, but they were far outnumbered by Blue Angels. These few Queens invariably were young adults. All of the juveniles I saw on the west coast were Blues.

I think the Gulf Stream is what brings so many Queens to the Keys and SE Florida. The Stream also accounts for the big differences in water temps between the west and east coast at similar latitudes during the winter months.

I've caught Blue Angels in NJ that had been feasting on the red sponge which grows all over wooden dock pilings at marinas just inside inlets. They had vivid orange color, which lasts a few weeks in captivity, but then fades to yellow. I caught a hybrid Townsend up here a couple of years ago, and some local collectors tell me they have caught two or three Queens over the years. I saw lots of Queens while diving in North Carolina this past summer. They seem to be almost as common there as Blues, especially on deep water wrecks. Again, the Gulf Stream at work.

 

[Crazy One]

I just talked to a friend of mine that lives in West Palm beach and he just told me don't go diving on the Gulf side because there have been alot of people getting bit from bull sharks lately.
Is there anyone else that can confirm this?

 

[philter4]

Define a lot, I've seen a lot of bull sharks while diving, they are common, but as far as I know there have been no more bites then normal this year. When you consider the number of swimmers and divers in FL, statistically you are more likely to be hit by lightning then to be bitten by a shark.

Just remember, the sharks are not mindless agressive fish, there are things that will limit your exposure and chances of being bit, for instance they are more likely to bite in turbid water when they can't see well. They also are more agressive when there is bait or blood in the water, for instance when spearfishing or if sport fishing in the surf and the bait is in the water. If you are smart about what you are doing there is nothing to worry about from the sharks.

 

[Crazy One]

Definatly makes sense, never thought of it that way. I think I would feel better diving instead of snorkeling.

 

[Fin Mike]

Crazy One, Philter 4 is absolutely correct. I am a spearfisherman, and I see sharks all the time, particularly sand tigers. This time of year, it is rare to not see them over the wrecks or on some live bottom. I personally have not seen too many bulls, but I see a variety really often. I'm telling you, as long as you respect them, and give them their distance, they want nothing to do with you. If you see one, consider yourself lucky, respect it, and enjoy the view. If you are spearing, be ready for a confrontation (by ready, I mean just be aware, it doesn't guarantee any attack) , but if not, the odds they will do anything, are slim to none. I used to be concerned about them, now I barely pay them much attention.

 

[jdhuyvetter]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13556670#post13556670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scottallert
it is legal and yes wildlife officers will check your boat or my 5 gallon jug that i was using to store them for the ride home. and yes i know they will get huge i am only keeping them for part time , then will let them out to a lfs or a local.

At the size you described, the blue might be legal, the gray definitely is NOT. Neither are legal if you don't have a valid Florida Saltwater Fishing License. When buy the license, you get a copy of the rules. The link below is for ornamentals:

myfwc.com/marine/recreational/recharvestmls.htm

Sorry if I seem a little preachy, but FWC is proposing some radical changes to ornamental fish/inverts for 2009. Both in size and quantity allowed to collect for individuals and commercial collectors. This is due largely to indiscriminate collecting.

The attitude of...I am only keeping them part time, then will let them out.... is exactly the same attitude that introduced lionfish to the Atlantic waters. Not a responsible position at all.

Done off my soap box.

P.S. for those of you that think I personally don't collect and berate those that do, should have been with me last weekend in Sanibel (west coast of Florida). Pistol shrimp, porcelain crabs, gorgonian and a dwarf occtopus (which is now housed in is own aquarium)

 

[jdhuyvetter]

http://myfwc.com/marine/recreational/recharvestmls.htm