The Scamp was positively ID'd by some friends of mine in the Florida FWC. I've seen a few more recently just a little larger than this one. This was about 20 miles southwest of Mexico Beach, Florida. The one I saw today was about 6 miles SW of Mexico Beach. My husband and I are heavily involved with the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association and we do a lot on surveys on the artificial reefs to support some of our permits and grants. By thw way, FWC said paw prints equal scamp, lip prints equal Gag. I knew this specimen looked like a Scamp, I just didn't know if other groupers also looked like this and went through a transition as they got older.
Cute scamp
Generally the "lip prints" on the body mean it's a scamp. Where was this taken?
Erin J. Burge Coastal Carolina University Marine Science
Scamp Photo
Erin,
The Scamp was positively ID'd by some friends of mine in the Florida FWC. I've seen a few more recently just a little larger than this one. This was about 20 miles southwest of Mexico Beach, Florida. The one I saw today was about 6 miles SW of Mexico Beach. My husband and I are heavily involved with the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association and we do a lot on surveys on the artificial reefs to support some of our permits and grants. By thw way, FWC said paw prints equal scamp, lip prints equal Gag. I knew this specimen looked like a Scamp, I just didn't know if other groupers also looked like this and went through a transition as they got older.
Carol