Post larval fish ID?

[laz217 0]

Does anyone have any clue what this fish in its post larval stage (~1cm length) could be? My very limited library of references has no mention of it.

 

[segal3 0]

Reminds me of an oarfish but I have no substantive guess.

[Islandbound 1]

Cool picture!

[ATJ 1]

Very cool picture.

 

From the eyes, I'd guess it might be a sole or flounder. The fins would be consistent, too.

[laz217 0]

Yeah... It does look a bit like an Oar fish. That would be very cool if that's what it is but based on its behaviors I don't believe so. I suppose I should mention a few things about it.

 

First of all, I found it drifting close to shore in West Palm Beach, FL. Its swims similar to a Flounder except vertically. One odd behavior I noticed was that it curled itself into a little ball from time to time as it drifted along.

 

That's about all I have on it.

[acroporas 0]

Yes, it is a flounder.

http://www.imagequest3d.com/catalogue/larv...es/c005_jpg.htm

[laz217 0]

Thanks, William. It didn't occur to me to check imagequest3d. Those guys are great!

 

It's interesting to see that the flounder goes through quite a physical transformation from its larval stage to adult. Aside from both eyes moving to the same side of the fish it appears the little flag thingamijig (scientific term) might move too. It even changes its method of swimming from vertically to horizontal. Talk about a confused fish.