Another Really Weird Fish

[digitise]

Hi all,

We picked this up from TMC a couple of months ago and have never been able to ID it. TMC listed on their invoice as "miscellaneous fish".

It hovers vertically in the same corner all the time, only ever moving to grab food as it floats by.

Here are a couple of pics

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/odd-fish-full.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/odd-fish-head.JPG

Its head is very eel-like, but it has a big paddle-like tail fin, almost like a betta.

Any ideas?

cheers

Neil

[EddieW]

Neil,

I am only guessing here so take it with a pinch of salt ;)

If it is still small it is possible that it is a juvenile of the Cephalopholis family, possibly minatus. Try a google image search on it and see if any of the photos are close. It is quite a similar body shape to some of them but the colours are different. I suppose if it is a juvenile it could colour change over time like some angels do (such as the Emperor Angel), or it just be a naturally occuring colour morph.

I am by no means an expert!!! Just tried browsing round a few places for something similar.

HTH, Eddie

[danny]

Very unusual, it certainly has a big mouth so that gives a clue as to what it might eat, almost grouper like jaws. Marine Betta is not a bad guess, it must be related somehow. No help but will bump it up for you. :D

[Cain]

Does it have a white line (arrow like) on it tail?

I think i know what it is :idea: :idea: :idea:

:thanx:

Cain

[kitenski]

You should always do your research before buying ;)

When I saw it yesterday at first glance the white patch actually looks like an eye!

Maybe someone from the "expert forums" here could ID it?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdis...p?s=&forumid=83 (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=83)

cheers,

greg

[Glenn@home]

You should always do your research before buying

priceless !!! :lol: :lol:

[stevetope]

Hi.

Greg.......Very Witty.

We usually do do our research but even when the experts at TMC can only guess at it being a 'fish' even we tend to struggle. :D

Cain....As far as I aware it has no white markings on its tail or otherwise.

The marking below the eye is actually 'mother of pearl' and from anywhere other than close up actually looks like its 'eye'

Steve.

[Lisa Page]

Just dragging this post back up into the light. I'm a bit late but in case you still want an ID. It is actually the Whitejaw Cardinalfish, Pseudamia amblyuropetra. ;)

Regards

Lisa

[vanadium]

tried to move this to the id forum........but couldn`t ;)

[vanadium]

just thought id section probably was not there then :D

[digitise]

thank you Lisa :bow:

We still have him in residence, he'll be so pleased to have a name (I dont think "Norbert" was going down too well)

cheers

Neil

[narthur]

ugly fish though..

[Mikey]

Originally posted by vanadium@Mar 29 2005, 14:54
tried to move this to the id forum........but couldn`t ;)
:lol:


************

Neil,

I also spent an age trying to get something for you on this too. Good old Lisa P

:thumbsup: Nice work Lisa.

[Lisa Page]

:D

[vanadium]

wow,i did it.... :lol: