Fish I.D. help

[craracer]

I saw this little fella while diving in Belize last month. He was about 3cm long, and at a depth of about 15 meters.

Sorry, this was the best photo I could capture as he was quite elusive.

Maybe a Blenny?? He didn't appear to have the "neck bend" of a Garden Eel. I was unable to find him in the Reef Fish book.

 

[DennisW]

I think either some type of Goby or Blenny. Hard to tell with that picture, but I would guess a Goby since there are more of them that have transparent looking bodies.

 

[livi120]

I'm not sure if I'm seeing this right with this picture, but it seems to have a very pointed "barracuda-like" snout. Also i borrowed your pic and exaggerated the color and contrast a bit on photoshop, I can also make out that its gill covers are large and end pretty far back of the eye. Also the tail is buried straight down in the sand. So I think is some kind of Pikeblenny. My guess: a yellowface pikeblenny, prob female.

 

[craracer]

Yes, it did have a pointed snout, and it was in the sand (like a Jawfish in its burrow).

 

[deborahdelamar]

I concur with Livi that it's a Pikeblenny (Chaenopsis family). Can't say which species but most common Caribbean ones are Yellowface, Bluethroat and Resh, so you should look into those.

 

[craracer]

Thanks guys! It's exciting to find a fish that I haven't seen before. I know........

 

[DennisW]

I had a hard time seeing the pointed snout. But I think that Livan got it absolutely correct.

 

[Sully3]

female yellowface pikeblenny

 

[craracer]

Dang, that's the only photo I have. Now I wish I had spent some more time shooting.