Need Help With This Fish ID - Cozumel Reef Pic From March 2009 | Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)

Need Help With This Fish ID - Cozumel Reef Pic From March 2009

Posted December 30th, 2009 by Linda99

Images:

Hi, I would very much appreciate an ID of this fish I took while diving Cozumel in March 2009. Thanks much. Linda

Blackcap Basslet

Submitted by DiverDave on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 18:56.

Looks like a blackcap basslet (Gramma melacara). Usually they have a much darker "cap."

Fish ID - Could it be something other than a Blackcap Basslet?

Submitted by Linda99 on Thu, 12/31/2009 - 20:08.

Hi DiverDave. Looking at the blackap basslet in my reef ID book, the black cap as you point out is certainly a lot lighter. What about the light belly? That threw me when I was looking for the ID.

Thanks. Linda

I think it is a Blackcap

Submitted by livi120 on Sat, 01/02/2010 - 09:03.

I know your pic doesn't look at all like the picture of the typical Blackcap color-wise. The one pic they have in the book is with an almost solid black cap and it is uniformly deep blue-purple. However, I just got the ID DVD for Christmas and it has about 7 or 8 pics (most like the book) but one is just like yours (kind of magenta rather than purple, no cap but a bluish head with gold markings, and a lighter magenta, pinkish "chin"). I think your pic is a Blackcap Basslet. The "belly" may look even lighter in your pic due to the lighting too.

Thanks for the additional info on the Blackcap

Submitted by Linda99 on Sat, 01/02/2010 - 11:42.

Thanks livi120, That really helps to have your perspective from another photo reference. I took that photo in March and it's been a mystery to me. Now I consider it solved. Fitting tribute to such a beautiful fish!
Linda