Found of the coast of Puerto Aventuras

[Pez de Diablo]

On last nights night dive we came across this interesting looking fish that looks like a cross between a Toad fish and a Scorpion fish. Does anyone have a clue to what it is since I can't find it in any of my ID books?

Thanks Dennis

 

[archman]

My bet's on a member of the toadfish clade, based on it's head shape.

 

[Pez de Diablo]

I'm thinking along the same lines. Hopefully someone will recognize this bearded fish.

 

[Rick Murchison]

That one's definitely a toadfish.
We call that one the "Gulf Toadfish" (Opsanus beta) but it's probably an "Oyster Toadfish" (Opsanus tau). (Never have been able to tell the diifference with a casual look)
I'll play it safe and say it's "Opsanus sp."
Rick

 

[RIOceanographer]

That one's definitely a toadfish.
We call that one the "Gulf Toadfish" (Opsanus beta) but it's probably an "Oyster Toadfish" (Opsanus tau). (Never have been able to tell the diifference with a casual look)
I'll play it safe and say it's "Opsanus sp."
Rick

Just looking at one of my reference books, it says the southern limit on the oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau) is Florida so Opsanus beta is more likely. Another possibility is the leopard toadfish (Opsanus pardus).

So.... er... I'll also play it safe and say Opsanus sp.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Just looking at one of my reference books, it says the southern limit on the oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau) is Florida so Opsanus beta is more likely. Another possibility is the leopard toadfish (Opsanus pardus).

So.... er... I'll also play it safe and say Opsanus sp.

Yep... yep pardus is a definite possibility.
Rick

 

[archman]

Golly, scientific names tossed left and right, and not one italicized or underlined.

The internet is evil.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Golly, scientific names tossed left and right, and not one italicized or underlined.

The internet is evil.

Hey man, you could at least congratulate us 'cause we capped the Genus and lower-cased the species... after all, college was a Very, very long time ago.
Rick

 

[RIOceanographer]

Golly, scientific names tossed left and right, and not one italicized or underlined.

The internet is evil.

Indeed I am evil!!!! Scientific names, book titles, none are safe from my lazy forum typing!!! No one can stop my reign of text formatting terror!!!!

Muwahahahaha! :devil_2:

 

[Pez de Diablo]

Thanks for your help!