Need an ID (pulled from the Gulf)

[venom107]

Ok, so this fish was pulled out of the Gulf by a 7 year old in Pensacola. It has some resemblance to a lion, but none of the long flowing parts. Front fins look like claws. This this is very cool looking. A couple of locals said it was not native to this area and did not want it released. I have it in a bucket in my hotel hoping to get some info on this thing before I decide what to do with it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cparka23]

sargassum angler, I believe.

 

[KLR]

Looks like an angler to me aswell. Dont anglers have claws on them also?

 

[skinz78]

It is ether an Angler or a Leaf fish, I believe Leaf fish are poisonous.

 

[cparka23]

I should add that it IS native to the gulf. If you do a search on fishbase.org, there is a nice little map that you can use to view its range.

 

[Reef lvr]

Angler

 

[skinz78]

I am still thinking leaf fish, I don't see the little bait thingy on it's head?

 

[Airplanes]

Throw him back in the water ASAP, it is native to that area, no sense on keeping him in a "bucket"