fish spotted in Raja Ampat muck dive

I saw this interesting critter on a muck dive in Raja Ampat at a site called Algae Patch II. It was at a depth of ~12 meters, probably about 5 cm long. It looks like some sort of dragonet?

correct, the fingered dragonet either the Dactylopus dactylopus or kuiteri

Thanks very much, Mike. (Incidentally, I loved your new website.)

Erwin

Haha, thanks Erwin. Hope you enjoyed Raja, its one of my fave places and the Algae Patch dives are very productive. Did you get to see the small croc that lives there?

Hey Mike. We loved Raja Ampat (third trip there), and Algae Patch was great. We did not see the crocodile, though.

Mike, on our abortive Timor trip with you, Algae Patch was one of my favorite spots. Too bad we were there on the last day. I could have spent days there (even though the "reefies" would have mutinied)......

For what it's worth, I saw the same fish a few weeks ago at Anilao in similar conditions. At least it sure looks the same . . .

Hi Erwin,

Reef fish of the East Indies mentions that the first 2 or 3 dorsal spines are always filamented for D. dactylopus (fingered dragonet) and never for D. kuiteri (Kuiter's dragonet). That would make your's the fingered dragonet. Not sure if it is a male or female. Dorsal fin patterns seem more female-like to me, but I;m not sure if females can have such a bold coloration of head and flanks.

Bart

Hi Erwin,

 

Reef fish of the East Indies mentions that the first 2 or 3 dorsal spines are always filamented for D. dactylopus (fingered dragonet) and never for D. kuiteri (Kuiter's dragonet). That would make your's the fingered dragonet. Not sure if it is a male or female. Dorsal fin patterns seem more female-like to me, but I;m not sure if females can have such a bold coloration of head and flanks.

 

Bart

Thanks Bart. Much appreciated.