These fish swim rapidly around in sandy bays and over shallow reef areas, with quite a variety of size, from small juveniles with an orange anal fin to medium small adults such as this. I have to admit I was quite proud to get this shot as I had to pan the camera while shooting and so getting such a crystal clear result was not a probable outcome. Still, more luck than judgement I have to admit. Palometa are one of the more friendly silvery fish (aside from the sometimes annoying baby bar jacks that insist on swimming right in front of your mask and are almost impossible to get rid of), with the smaller juveniles known to take a little nibble of your legs and feet while paddling in the sandy shallows. Don’t worry, no harm will come of you, but it is a little off-putting if you haven’t seen them coming.
Originally posted on Instagram @sea_anguilla with the text: A small Palometa seen swimming in the shallows at Prickly Pear East Cay. These beautiful metallic silvery fish can often be observed close to shore in sandy bays around Anguilla such as Captains Bay, Maundays Bay, Meads Bay, and Shoal Bay West.