can you identify this scorpionfish?

Hi All,

Would appreciate if anyone can id this image for me.

Image was taken in Milne Bay PNG, sorry about the quality I was using a 70-180 macro lens and the subject was too far away (more than 10 feet)

The critter took off after this shot.

thanks

ron

It is a finger dragonet, I think. No books here,so it might be another species of dragonet (relative of mandarinfish).

Alex

It is a finger dragonet, I think. No books here,so it might be another species of dragonet (relative of mandarinfish).

Alex

yes, i think it is. Tons in Philippines and Manado, they got this weird red mouth, and some got real nice fins on their back.......... ( got no clue what you call them, i just take their pictures )

( Manado )

( Puerto Gallaera, Phil. )

There are tons of different dragonets on Fishbase.org, with few photos. Here's one that fits the photo, as best as I can see it.

http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/PicturesSum...25&what=species

Could be a Threadfin dragonet: Callionymus filamentosus, which gets up to 20cm in length.

The other possibility is a Delicate dragonet, which is a much smaller species:Callionymus delicatulus. It only grows up to 6 cm., so if your critter is larger, the former id may answer your question.

Marli