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Creole-Fish
Sep 13, 2017. Night dive in Bari Reef, Bonaire.
Description:
Body elongated, with a forked tail. Varies from olive to bright reddish brown, occasionally with a purplish cast, belly pale salmon. Three light spots along the back and a bright red spot at the base of the pectoral fin.
Size up to 30 cm.
Habitat:
Inhabit coral reefs and hard bottom areas, down to 50 m. Observed in feeding aggregations well above the reef. Feeds mainly in midwater on zooplankton. Retreats instantly when alarmed.
Distribution:
Rare Florida, Bahamas and northern Caribbean, common central and southern Caribbean.
http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=243
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-19; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. Distinguished by the following characteristics: Head short (less than 35% of SL); head and body reddish brown, paler ventrally; bright orange-red spot at the upper end of the pectoral-fin base; 3 widely spaced white spots between lateral line and dorsal-fin base; 2 blue lines on the cheek, one approximately horizontal and tangential to the lower edge of the eye, other along the upper edge of maxilla.. more
