Confused Fish?

This is a crop first of all. I couldnt get close to this fish as he constantly would swim into the limestone reef if I got more than 4 or 5 feet from him. When I swam up for air or moved far enough away he would come out and perch again on is little coral. The fish is almost 5 inches long or so and as you can see, very colorful! I looked through my little fish guide and cannot find what it is.

Very unique/odd coloration, but it should be a Leopard/Shortbodied Blenny Exallias brevis - normally they look more like this.

This is a crop first of all. I couldnt get close to this fish as he constantly would swim into the limestone reef if I got more than 4 or 5 feet from him. When I swam up for air or moved far enough away he would come out and perch again on is little coral. The fish is almost 5 inches long or so and as you can see, very colorful! I looked through my little fish guide and cannot find what it is.

Hello

+1 with segal3 but not so surprised with the coloration

sunny regards

Hi there

It is a Leopard Blenny (Exallias brevis). http://spencerfinn.com/Albums/All%20Marine...14.5cm.htmlThey hang around the hard corals and like to dart inside but if you are patient they do tend to patrol around the same area and will pop out again.

I swear that exact coloration in Islandbound's photo, is common in Kona.

And they act just like you say too. Won't let you get close enough for a decent shot, if you just travel along.

The males have this bright red body colouration, while the females are more drab brown.

Alex