3 From Belize

[drrich2]

Hi:

Just got back from a 7 day live-aboard trip on the Sun Dancer 2, mainly hitting the Lighthouse Atoll area but 2 dives at Sandy Slope in the Turneffe region. Saw a range of things; a few stumped me.

This grouper has the form of a tiger grouper (I saw blacks, tigers, Nassau and at least one other kind), but the patterning on it has me stumped. Maybe 2 to 3 feet long? Photographed at depth, so color unknown.

Only pipefish I've ever seen; thanks, Simon (a dive guide). I'm guessing what kind will remain a mystery.

Is this a Cero?

Thanks in advance.

Richard.

 

[KeithG]

your grouper appears to be a black grouper - there are several variations and the black grouper is the only large grouper that has spots and no bars. i could be wrong.

yep - a pipefish, by the bands i guess a shortfin. I have never seen them out of their hole. similar to pikeblenny.

and a cero - a very "tall" one. most ceros i have seen are longer.

did you get to see any bulldozer shrimps? always at the top of my list for belize...

 

[Full Circle]

The grouper is a Tiger grouper, Myctoperca tigris Shorefishes - Gallery

The Tiger grouper can vary it’s pattern dramatically and sometimes, like in this image, the bars totally disappear.