Help in Identifying this fish

stolaas · 10/30/2006, 10:03 AM

Hello all, here is a picture I told you all about at the meeting. I netted these in Panama City a few weeks ago and can't figure out if they are a Damsel or an Angel fish of some kind. I thought it was a Yellow Belly Damsel but with the bold markings on its dorsal fin and a more 50/50 of yellow/blue color I was thinking it might be some kind of Angel. And the fact that I think Yellow Bellies are native in Pacific/Indo oceans not Atlantic.

Any help would be great

Sk8r · 10/30/2006, 10:08 AM

Beautiful fish. The eye and body shape say damsel to me, at least.

MaryBebo · 10/30/2006, 11:22 AM

I'm thinking some type of Damsel too, but not sure.

I think it's neat that you caught it yourself. Not a lot of us say that

For sure me..lol... Very nice fish!

buzzbait00 · 10/30/2006, 11:39 AM

Curtis,
Where were you snorkeling at in PC.Did you use a guide service or off the beach?Im in Destin every year and have heard their are some man made structures around that are kewl.
Buzz!

Tomoko Schum · 10/30/2006, 12:27 PM

I believe that it is a damselfish. It looks like a juvenile form of Stegastes diencaeus from West Atlantic or Stegastes favilatus.

Tomoko

Nitroq2 · 10/30/2006, 01:37 PM

I am with tomoko look about the 4th one down in this pic http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stegastes.htm

Mariner · 10/30/2006, 02:29 PM

Definitely a damsel. I believe I've seen one or two of the same kind of fish while snorkeling near the jetties in PC.
Mariner

stolaas · 10/30/2006, 04:48 PM

Thanks everyone for your imput. After seeing all your suggestions and the many different type of Damsels I have been able to identify it as the "Stegastes variabilis" Cocoa Damsel found on this page that Nitro shot at me - http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stegastes.htm All the damsel on this page look a lot alike but the one thing that stood out was the "distinct black ocellus after their dorsal fins" as quoted on the page above. Mine both have that second spot just before the Caudal fin.
To Buzz, I go to the Jetty at Saint Andrews State Park - nonguided. There are also Convict and Blue tangs down there as well.

greenbean36191 · 10/30/2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

I go to the Jetty at Saint Andrews State Park - nonguided.

You should try doing it all day for a grade. It's torture.

joejoe1055 · 10/30/2006, 10:15 PM

or it could be S. flavilatus they look very close to each other

Tomoko Schum · 10/30/2006, 11:01 PM

To id a fish correctly, you really need to count all the dorsal and anal spines, soft rays, shapes and locations of all the fins, and sometimes the shape and size of their scales, too. Colors are not good identifier of fish unfortunately.

Tomoko

joejoe1055 · 10/30/2006, 11:13 PM

very true
age and stress can change colors

10/30/2006, 10:03 AM	#1
stolaas Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Big Cove, AL Posts: 286	Help in Identifying this fish Hello all, here is a picture I told you all about at the meeting. I netted these in Panama City a few weeks ago and can't figure out if they are a Damsel or an Angel fish of some kind. I thought it was a Yellow Belly Damsel but with the bold markings on its dorsal fin and a more 50/50 of yellow/blue color I was thinking it might be some kind of Angel. And the fact that I think Yellow Bellies are native in Pacific/Indo oceans not Atlantic. Any help would be great __________________ Curtis Current Tank Info: 150g Through Wall Reef - Separate Sump Room

10/30/2006, 10:08 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Beautiful fish. The eye and body shape say damsel to me, at least. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/30/2006, 11:22 AM	#3
MaryBebo Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cullman , Alabama Posts: 1,103	I'm thinking some type of Damsel too, but not sure. I think it's neat that you caught it yourself. Not a lot of us say that For sure me..lol... Very nice fish! __________________ Have a Great Day, :) Mary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)<((((°>... Current Tank Info: 85 Gal RR Cube 400W 14k MH & NanoCube 24 DX 2006 Stock Lighting Softie Tank

10/30/2006, 11:39 AM	#4
buzzbait00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Hope,Al Posts: 423	Curtis, Where were you snorkeling at in PC.Did you use a guide service or off the beach?Im in Destin every year and have heard their are some man made structures around that are kewl. Buzz! __________________ Buzz! Current Tank Info: 75 with 20L DIY sump/fuge,mag 12 return,seio 820,AquaC Romara,6x54w T5's and a 20 set up for whatever

10/30/2006, 12:27 PM	#5
Tomoko Schum Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 4,166	I believe that it is a damselfish. It looks like a juvenile form of Stegastes diencaeus from West Atlantic or Stegastes favilatus. Tomoko __________________ Avoiding work as usual... Current Tank Info: 15 gallon long nano reef tank with 110W PC and 180G with three 250W 14K SE MH & LumenBright reflectors

10/30/2006, 01:37 PM	#6
Nitroq2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jasper, Alabama Posts: 840	I am with tomoko look about the 4th one down in this pic http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stegastes.htm __________________ - Allen Current Tank Info: 90g Reef

10/30/2006, 02:29 PM	#7
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	Definitely a damsel. I believe I've seen one or two of the same kind of fish while snorkeling near the jetties in PC. Mariner __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

10/30/2006, 04:48 PM	#8
stolaas Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Big Cove, AL Posts: 286	Thanks everyone for your imput. After seeing all your suggestions and the many different type of Damsels I have been able to identify it as the "Stegastes variabilis" Cocoa Damsel found on this page that Nitro shot at me - http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stegastes.htm All the damsel on this page look a lot alike but the one thing that stood out was the "distinct black ocellus after their dorsal fins" as quoted on the page above. Mine both have that second spot just before the Caudal fin. To Buzz, I go to the Jetty at Saint Andrews State Park - nonguided. There are also Convict and Blue tangs down there as well. __________________ Curtis Current Tank Info: 150g Through Wall Reef - Separate Sump Room

10/30/2006, 10:15 PM	#10
joejoe1055 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: cullman,Alabama Posts: 739	or it could be S. flavilatus they look very close to each other

10/30/2006, 11:01 PM	#11
Tomoko Schum Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 4,166	To id a fish correctly, you really need to count all the dorsal and anal spines, soft rays, shapes and locations of all the fins, and sometimes the shape and size of their scales, too. Colors are not good identifier of fish unfortunately. Tomoko __________________ Avoiding work as usual... Current Tank Info: 15 gallon long nano reef tank with 110W PC and 180G with three 250W 14K SE MH & LumenBright reflectors

10/30/2006, 11:13 PM	#12
joejoe1055 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: cullman,Alabama Posts: 739	very true age and stress can change colors