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Plectohinchus spp. Crescent or Giant Sweet Lip Grunt
Posted August 22nd, 2008 by fish_id
Unidentified Seweetlip Grunt sighted at Blue Heron Bridge in Palm Beach Florida at 20 fsw two weeks ago. My guess is it is either a Giant Sweet Lip Grunt (P. albovittatus) or the Crescent Sweetlip (P. cinctus). Any Opinions?
Images:
Yes -- spotted grouper
I conferred with Paul Humann, and he came to the same conclusion. Spotted (or Speckled) Grouper, Epinephelus cyanopodus. See the picture posted at http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/ecyanop3.htm. Definitel a non-native for the REEFs of West Palm Beach, Florida. Look at the native grunts in the background and fin of a surgeonfish in the foreground. Good ID work Josh! -- Christy Semmens, REEF Director of Science
Thanks Christy!
I was just taking a shower and remembered seeing the french grunt in the background. Is the spotted grouper a common aquarium fish?
Mystery Fish
I'd be inclined to say that is a seabass, but I don't think it's one of the seabasses native to Florida. Perhaps it's a speckled grouper (Epinephelus cyanopodus). Native to the West Pacific: S. China Sea and Marshall Islands in Micronesia to Fiji-SW Japan to Australia. (See REEF Fish Identification Tropical Pacific). Are you sure you saw this fish in Florida?