Adolescent Trunkfish (Lactophrys trigonus) – Blue Heron Bridge, Riviera Beach, Fl
This small Trunkfish, about the size of a plum, was having a hard time in the stiff current before high tide under the bridge. Rarely using the main caudal fin (tail fin) to move, it uses short flickering movements of its much large pectoral fins to maneuver around, looking to float across the landscape. We drifted with this little fish for quite some time watching it eventually disappear downcurrent, leaving us behind with only pictures. Adult Trunkfish can be seen on deeper reefs and wrecks, while these younger individuals spend their time in the safer shallows of the BHB. This picture was taken at one of my very first dives at the Blue Heron Bridge and I remember being so excited to find such a cool little animal that I almost forgot how my camera worked – luckily it all came back to me in time to grab this image.
Canon G15, Nauticam NAG15, Inon s2000 (x2), Sola Photo 800
Image of Juvenile Trunkfish (about the size of a grape), before changing its color and pattern as it reaches adulthood.