Fish ID help

[zihuatcat]

I'm relatively new to diving and fish id. We saw this fish on a recent trip to Bonaire. Can anyone tell me what it is?

 

[zihuatcat]

Sorry, apparently I'm also new to uploading photos on Scubaboard. I'm asking about the small picture of the single fish, not the larger pic of the multiple fish.

 

[stevsgarage]

I do believe it is a bi-color variation of a Coney. I'm certain it is a member of the SeaBass family. If you have access to Humann/Delocach's Reef Fish id guide for Florida, Caribbean and the Bahamas look in group 5 page 160. If you do not have this book and are interested in fish watching in the Caribbean then GET IT. There is no book better or easier to use.

 

[zihuatcat]

Thanks. We were leaning in that direction. And I do have that book, so your reference to the page number was helpful.

 

[Karibelle]

You can ID the coneys by the two black dots on their lower lip, if you can see that part of them... Enjoy your fish watching!