Species Gallery - Caribbean
SIZE: 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 in. max. 3 in.
Harlequin Bass
Serranus tigrinusDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. Dark, tiger-like bars.
DESCRIPTION:
Upper body has whitish undercolor; lower body pale yellow. Series of dark dots form diffuse horizontal lines on body. Head more pointed than that of other family members.
SIZE: 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 in. max. 3 in.
Fairy Basslet
Gramma loretoDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. Bicolored – purple to violet front and yellow to gold rear. 2. Dark spot on dorsal fin.
DESCRIPTION:
Several streaks on head run across eye.
SIZE: 1 - 1 1/2 ft. max. 2 ft.
Stoplight Parrotfish
Sparisoma virideDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. Bright yellow spot at upper corner of gill cover. 2. Yellow area at base of tail. 3. Salmon to yellow crescent on tail.
DESCRIPTION:
Emerald green. Salmon to yellow markings on head and fins. Tail is crescent-shaped.
SIZE: 6-10 in. max. 11 in.
Redband Parrotfish
Sparisoma aurofrenatumDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. Small yellow blotch with two or more small black spots on upper forebody. 2. Usually salmon to orange or yellow band from corner of mouth to below eye.
DESCRIPTION:
Greenish overall, underside lighter; anal fin usually reddish. Outer tips of tail black. Tail square-cut.
SIZE: 5-6 in. max 8 in.
Yellowhead Wrasse
Halichoeres garnotiDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. Yellow head and forebody. 2. Dark midbody bar.
DESCRIPTION:
Head and forebody vary from bright yellow to yellowish or greenish tan; dark blue to green rear body and tail. Dark midbody bar continues as a wide border along back to tail.
SIZE: 4-5 in. max 6 in.
Bluehead
Thalassoma bifasciatumDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. Blue head. 2. Two dark bars behind head, separated by white bar.
DESCRIPTION:
Rear body is green to blue-green.
SIZE: 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 ft. max. 3 ft.
Trumpetfish
Aulostomus maculatusDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: Long, thin body. 1. Trumpet-like mouth.
DESCRIPTION:
Adept at color change. Most common phase is brown to reddish brown; can be blue-gray, bright yellow or many shades between. Have pale lines, scattered small black spots, and a black streak on upper jaw.
SIZE: 5-8 in. max 11 in.
Spotted Goatfish
Pseudupeneus maculatusDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. A row of three dark, rectangular body blotches is normally visible when fish are active (when resting, change to blotched or mottled reddish brown). 2. Two barbels under tip of chin.
DESCRIPTION:
Rapidly and dramatically change color from white to blotched and mottled red to reddish brown when becoming inactive. Light bluish lines often on head and, occasionally, upper body.
SIZE: 6-12 in. max. 15 1/2 in.
Yellow Goatfish
Mulloidichthys martinicusDISTINCTIVE FEATURES: 1. Yellow tail and midbody stripe. 2. Two barbels under tip of chin.
DESCRIPTION:
White; upper body may have shadings ranging from blue to olive or red. Fins, other than tail, may be white or yellowish.