Please Help me Identify These Creatures

[Pembina]

I took these photos on our recent trip to Dominica. I can't find them in any of my fish ID books.

This blue/grey guy was hiding inside a barrel sponge


And this one looks like a carpet of eggs

 

[agilis]

The second photo is an anemone, almost certainly a Sun Anemone, Stichodactyla helianthus. These are very common in Dominica. The fish unclear because of the photo's angle. Possibly a Black Hamlet.

 

[scoobydrew]

I think the first one is a soap fish, normally found lying on the floor

 

[diversteve]

I think so also: http://www.n5kd.org/scuba/roatan/Soap Fish.JPG

Is there two of them in there?

 

[agilis]

A Soapfish is certainly a possibility, though it seems to lack the Soapfish streamlined body shape. I almost looks like an strangely colored Glasseye Snapper. Check the jawline.

 

[Pembina]

Mystery solved, THANKS to ALL!!
diversteve... I think you might be correct. I think it is 2 fish and not just one which is why it was looking so weird to me.

 

[coralhead]

I'd give the soapfish ID a nod of support.

 

[KeithG]

soapfish

sun anenome

 

[drbill]

As a marine biologist, I fail to see two fish in the first photo (but I do need new glasses). To me it looks like one fish with the posterior part of the dorsal fin a little twisted (like my mind).

 

[KeithG]

As a marine biologist, I fail to see two fish in the first photo (but I do need new glasses). To me it looks like one fish with the posterior part of the dorsal fin a little twisted (like my mind).

i agree with dr bill - 1 fish only! - the soapfish has a distinctive "abnormal' body contour. The soapfish is one of my divebuddy's favourites.

I think it is the ocean's dumbest fish. We often see it hunting at night in Bonaire using our lights (tarpon substitute). general hunting tactic appears to involve randomly jamming it's head under coral heads and blindly bumping into things.

this link Greater Soapfish - Rypticus saponaceus - Soapfishes - - Tropical Reefs gives a good shot of the body shape.