Permit are extremely efficient swimmers due to their body design
The three large fish on the left are called, “permit”. These large silvery fish are not a frequent sighting on the Florida Keys reefs. Some people think the bubbles from scuba divers attracts their attention. They rarely hang around for long. Permit are extremely efficient swimmers due to their body design. They are compressed laterally making them very hydrodynamic. Their tails are large and deeply forked, making them fast and agile. Their tails and pectoral fins are typically dark. Some will have a dark blotch just behind their pectoral fins (most visible in the bottom permit). Permit have large eyes, and as a diver you can see them moving their eyes around looking at you with curiosity.
In Florida, this fish is often confused with the Florida Pompano. The way to tell the difference is that permit are much larger (as adults). When permit and Florida pompano are young, they can look similar. If it is a young fish and it has orange patches, it is a permit. If those patches are yellow, it is a pompano.
The football shaped fish on the right is called a “Bermuda chub”. These fish will grow to roughly one to two feet in length. They are commonly seen fish throughout the Florida Keys, where this photograph was taken. Thankfully, Bermuda chub are also found in Bermuda. Additionally, they can be found along the east coast of the United States from Florida to Massachusetts. Chub are typically found in shallow waters, and they often gather under the dive boats in the Florida Keys. Because of this, snorkelers and divers often see these fish.
Certain fish can be challenging to photograph. Some are fast, some are camouflaged, some are only out at night. One of the challenges with photographing permit is that they have reflective scales covering their body. If your camera strobes are set too strong, the light will reflect off the fish and make a bad image. The challenge is that permit typically roll up on you quick, and they tend not to stick around for more than one pass. Fortunately, I was ready this day and captured their curious looks.
One of the challenges with photographing permit is that they have reflective scales covering their body
Did you know?
- Permit are found from Massachusetts to Brazil!
- Permit are opportunistic eaters that will target smaller fish, crabs, shrimp, small lobsters, and other crustaceans.
- Permit have sharp teeth that allow them to break through clam shells.
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