Neen help with Fish ID

[PaulMyers]

uploadfromtaptalk1336498913340.jpg
I'm trying to find out what kind of fish this is for a friend of mine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

And yes, I do have a few friends. :o

["W"]

Looks like some type of.grouper

[swamp snorkler]

What did it tate like?

[DUCKGOGETTER]

A ugly one! Looks like a grouper

[MattW]

Where was it caught?

[PaulMyers]

He said it was caught 120 miles south of fresh water bayou.

I'm thinking some kind of grouper also. I've never seen a fish look this ugly.

[MattW]

My first guess would be a rockfish, but they only inhabit the pacific. My second guess would be a coral grouper.

[cmdrost]

Looks like a yellowfin grouper maybe....not too sure:

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/pr...owfin-grouper/

[swamp snorkler]

Yellowfin Grouper: Mycteroperca venenosa

Appearance:

color highly variable greenish olive or bright red with longitudinal rows of darker black blotches over entire fish; outer one third of pectoral fins bright yellow; lower parts of larger fish with small bright red spots
Habitat:

OFFSHORE on reefs off southern portions of Florida.
Behavior:

undergoes sex reversal from female to male in latter part of life; specific name translates to "venomous," alluding to the fact that this fish, perhaps more frequently than other groupers, is associated with ciguatera poisoning; feeds on fish and squid.
State Record:

34 lb 6 oz, caught near Key Largo
Fishing Tips and Facts:


Additional Information:


Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles

[meaux fishing]

I'll email the pic to my uncle

[PaulMyers]

Originally Posted by meaux fishing

I'll email the pic to my uncle

Thanks Bob,

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by PaulMyers

Thanks Bob,

no prob... I just hope what ever it is it's legal




j/k

[Hopedale Hustler]

Not sure cause the pic ain't showing its color that good but it may be a red rock grouper

[PaulMyers]

Originally Posted by meaux fishing

no prob... I just hope what ever it is it's legal




j/k

So do I but at least its not mine! LOL

[capteddie]

Spiny Cheek scorpionfish

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by capteddie

Spiny Cheek scorpionfish

Capt Eddie was correct

Here is the email from my uncle:
Hard to be positive with a photo (MUCH better to have fish in hand to check meristics), but looks like a scorpionfish, most likely a spinycheek scorpionfish. Most references have a maximum of 16 inches and 2 pounds for this species, but the link below is to a photo of a specimen about 18 inches from the Gulf.

http://www.fishbase.us/photos/Upload...5&win=uploaded

The distribution map at fishbase (link below) shows a lesser abundance off of SE LA than other areas of the range, but that's probably due to the lack of surveys on moderately deep hard bottoms in that area.
http://www.fishbase.us/summary/Neome...emingwayi.html

[Top Dawg]

Grouper?

[capt hoop]

Eddie may have it. Deffinatly some kind of scorpionfish.

[cduhon]

Originally Posted by capt hoop

Eddie may have it. Deffinatly some kind of scorpionfish.

Looks like a red scorpionfish

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[cajunkid]

Spineycheek Scorpionfish