22 photos - 11 species
Introduction
With over 500 species, the sawfish are one of the most species-rich fish families.
Almost all species are found in tropical and subtropical regions of all oceans.
Groupers and bannerfish belong to the sawfish subfamily.
Depending on the species, they range in size from 2.3 cm, such as Pseudogramma guineensis, to Epinephelus lanceolatus, which can be 2.7 m long and weigh up to 400 kg.
Cephalopholis cruentata
Graysby
Maximum length: 30 cm
Depth: 3 - 20 m
Three to five pale or dark spots along the base of the dorsal fin.
Gray to reddish-brown body with dark orange to brown spots.
Shy, but with slow movements you can get a little closer to them.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Cephalopholis fulva
Coney or Butterfish
Maximum length: 40 cm
Depth: 3 - 20 m
Prefers reefs.
Sociable type that swims close to the bottom or rests on it.
Somewhat shy of divers, but sometimes curious.
With careful and slow movements you can get close to them.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Hypoplectrus chlorurus
Yellowtail hamlet
Maximum length: 13 cm
Depth: 3 - 15 m
Body and fins vary from dark brown to dark blue and black to navy blue.
They are found near the bottom in the area of reefs.
Very shy and solitary.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Hypoplectrus guttavarius
Shy hamlet
Maximum length: 13 cm
Depth: 3 - 30 m
Hamlet perch are predators, as can be seen from their large mouth.
Feeds on crustaceans, shrimps and small fish.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Hypoplectrus puella
Barred hamlet
Maximum length: 15 cm
Depth: 3 - 15 m
Most common hamlet perch in the Caribbean, swims close to the bottom near reefs.
Shy but curious, can be approached with slow movements.
Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Hypoplectrus randallorum
Tan hamlet
Maximum length: 8 - 13 cm
Depth: 3 - 15 m
Like all Hamlet perch, a predatory species.
Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Hypoplectrus unicolor
Butter hamlet or Yellowtail hamlet
Maximum length: 13 cm
Depth: 3 - 15 m
Large black spot on the root of the tail, often with a black spot surrounded by blue on the snout.
Swims near the bottom, always in the area of reefs.
Shy but curious, with slow movements you can get a little closer to them.
Photos 1 + 3 - 5 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Photo 2 : Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Paranthias furcifer
Creole fish
Maximum length: 27 cm
Depth: 8 - 50 m
Their coloration varies from bright reddish-brown to olive.
They prefer deeper reefs, swimming in small groups, up to larger shoals in open water, sometimes also above the reef, but are also sometimes hidden individually in the reef.
They are shy and immediately retreat when approached.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Serranus baldwini
Lantern bass
Maximum length: 4 - 6 cm
Depth: 1 - 80 m
The lower half of the body with a clear row of dark rectangular spots.
Dark to orange spots and dots on a white background.
Animals that live in deeper water layers have more colored spots
than animals that live in higher layers, which tend to be paler.
Photos 1 - 2 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Serranus tabacarius
Tobaccofish
Maximum length: 18cm
Depth: 1 - 70 m
It has a varying number of dark and white spots along its back,
which can also be yellowish to salmon-colored.
The belly is white.
Its mid-body area has orange to brown shades.
Its caudal fin has a dark U-shaped pattern.
Mostly near the bottom on reefs with adjacent sandy areas.
Don't be shy, you can sometimes get close to them with slow movements.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Serranus tigrinus
Harlequin bass
Maximum length: 10cm
Depth: 1 - 40 m
Dark, tabby stripes.
Their head is more pointed than other species in this family.
Inhabits seagrass and coral debris areas as well as reefs.
Swims above the bottom always looking for small crustaceans.
Not shy, more curious. If you dive very slowly towards them, you can get very close.
Photos 1 - 2 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean