Another from Lembeh. Wierd waspfish?

I don't have a dart board at home so the grouper doubles up as one. You have to use the dart gun to get as close to the eye as possible! It is an unusual use of an uw pic!

Alex

Just to give you an update Alex, I haven't heard from Stuart Poss, but I found out that he is based in New Orleans, so I don't expect to hear from him soon.

I sent the pictures to Gerry Allen, he is off diving somewhere, I will let you know when he answers.

Luiz

Well, everyone was wrong on this one. I finally got the expert opinion, here it is:

"Hi Luiz,

Fish 1 is actually a serranid that mimics a scorpanid. It is Centrogenys

vaigiensis. Fish 2 is Apistus(or Paracentropogon) longispinis.

Best wishes, Gerry"

Hmmm....

...the feature that was the defining thing was the dorsal fin between the eyes, like photo #2...which made it a longfin waspfish.

Didn't I say that? My notes from Fishbase equate Paracentropogon longispinus with...aha! Longfin waspfish or Wispy waspfish. That's the trouble with common names. Anyway, at least it was speedy for you to get an ID. It took four years, 3 fish experts, including one rather famous one that said," heck if I know", after dragging the photo half way around the world. It was a photo by Constanino Petrinos on Fishbase that nailed it. Here's my version, asleep in a sea pen. I think they're awfully cute even with the long latin name.

Cheers,

Marli

To me the second one looks more Waspfish than Velvetfish.

 

The first one (vertical) could be anywhere between scorpionfish and grouper.

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I don't think I was doing too badly! Thanks Luiz.

Alex

You can always reference DeLoach's book...clearly shows both fishes in 2 variations as long spine waspfish B)

JB