Mug-shots



Fish offer a quirky perspective when they are photographed head-on.  This vantage arises due to a fish's curiosity, aggression, shyness or cleaning tendencies...  and then there are lionfish who just hang-out without a care in the world.




Bass, hamlets, butterflyfish and squid are in the curious camp and typically approach the camera to check you out to say hola.


Harlequin bass


Barred hamlet


Foureye butterflyfish


Reef squid



Damselfish fall squarely in the aggression camp, protecting their share of the reef.  They make rapid, strafing approaches and try to nip you if you get too close, offering a multitude of photo-ops.


Threespot damselfish


Threespot damselfish



Eels may look aggressive, but are usually a combination of shy and curious.  Those teeth are still intimidating when they open their mouths for respiration. 


Sharptail eel


Goldentail moray eel


Reticulated moray eel


Encountering a cleaning station is a good way to capture a mug-shot of a fish cleanee or cleaner.  Intermediate angelfish still come near for a look after their juvenile cleaning days are over.


Juvenile french angelfish


Intermediate french angelfish



Fish relying on camouflage allow a close approach in the hope that you won't detect them, even allowing for a flounder reverse mug-shot.


Peacock flounder


Sand diver


Bridled burrfish


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