Hi Joel, 
 
I am relatively new to the forum so I am not sure if an answer to the riddle is appropriate. Well, I give it a shot. I believe it is a member of the dragonets (Callionymidae) & it might be Risso’s dragonet (Callionymus rissoi), a beautiful dragonet from the Mediterranean. For many species the propercular spine is diagnostic which cannot be seen on the photo. 
 
Thanks, 
 
Peter 
 
 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
Peter Konstantinidis Ph.D. 
Virginia Institute of Marine Science | College of William & Mary 
Department of Fisheries Science 
 
P.O. Box 1346 | Rt. 1208 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 
 
804.684.7958 | [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>