Submitted by njmorrell on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 07:56.
After further research I think this is a sharpnose pufferfish. Trouble is it does not have the same colours as the one on page 383 of the Humann/Deloach guide.
You're correct, it is a sharpnose puffer. I love these little guys. They're so cute!
One of the most frustrating aspects of Fish ID (for me anyway) is that for most fish, colors can vary. When you are trying to ID a fish remember to look for its distinctive features, which may or may not include overall color. Your Humann/DeLoach book will tell you what those features are. I don't have my book in front of me right now, but if memory serves the distinctive feature for the sharpnose is the dark borders on the tail, which the little guy in your photo clearly shows.
Submitted by Claire Bradford on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:00.
Sharp-Nosed Puffer it is! I was interested to learn that the little guys are really full-grown, even though they look like they will be something else later. Had a great night dive in Belize recently where I got to observe how these guys sleep -- pretty much anywhere -- in the open on the sand, on fans. . . and sleep they do! They were oblivious to our lights and proximity to them. What a great little fish.
Puffer fish?
After further research I think this is a sharpnose pufferfish. Trouble is it does not have the same colours as the one on page 383 of the Humann/Deloach guide.
Sharpnose Pufferfish
You're correct, it is a sharpnose puffer. I love these little guys. They're so cute!
One of the most frustrating aspects of Fish ID (for me anyway) is that for most fish, colors can vary. When you are trying to ID a fish remember to look for its distinctive features, which may or may not include overall color. Your Humann/DeLoach book will tell you what those features are. I don't have my book in front of me right now, but if memory serves the distinctive feature for the sharpnose is the dark borders on the tail, which the little guy in your photo clearly shows.
-dawn
either a sharp nose puffer
either a sharp nose puffer fish or a bussa. but i have been wrong before.
Sharp-Nosed Puffer Night Behavior
Sharp-Nosed Puffer it is! I was interested to learn that the little guys are really full-grown, even though they look like they will be something else later. Had a great night dive in Belize recently where I got to observe how these guys sleep -- pretty much anywhere -- in the open on the sand, on fans. . . and sleep they do! They were oblivious to our lights and proximity to them. What a great little fish.