Small fish ID

Started by LeftyMD · May 18, 20233 yr

4Posts
4Replies

LeftyMD Archived member 7 posts
Originally published on Wetpixel.com

May 18, 20233 yr

Hello! I need help in identifying this fish. Found in a muck dive in Anilao, Philippines at a depth of 15m. The head is about the size of a pencil eraser. My guide told me it was a kind of goby but couldn’t find any that matches the image. Thank you in advance!
ChrisRoss Archived member 3546 posts
Originally published on Wetpixel.com

May 18, 20233 yr

Looks more like on of the fang blennies the patterning seems to match a snake or hairtail blenny, see this link:

https://dburdick.smugmug.com/Anilao2011/Anilao-Fishes-May-2011/i-nXxS5Xj/A

this page is using that image for an ID photo: https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1094#summary

sounds like quite a small one compared to the size they reach.
Kraken de Mabini Archived member 1243 posts
Originally published on Wetpixel.com

May 19, 20233 yr

This is a tough id. as only the fish face is shown. One guess a Lined Dartfish (Ptereleotris grammica, photo from Google):

Allen et al describe it as: "Pale blue gray with greenish highlights; orange and blue stripes on body and fins; first dorsal fin relatively high and fan-shaped. Solitary or in pairs that share burrows. Sand and rubble slopes in 36-60 m."

Allen G. et al: Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific. New World Publications, Florida, p. 282, 2003.

Edited May 19, 20233 yr by Kraken de Mabini
Glasseye Snapper Archived member 723 posts
Originally published on Wetpixel.com

July 12, 20233 yr

Chris is right. This is absolutely a hairtail blenny (Xiphasia setifer). Normally found on mud or rubble bottoms as well as in seagrass. Here is one from a similar habitat in Dauin (Philippines)