Need an ID - Anthias / Grouper ?

[Aloha Corals]

Anthias, Grouper, Snapper... ?? Hails from Christmas Island... I've searched and searched. It was sent to us as "misc fish" lol

Anybody recognize this beauty?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Aloha
Kevin

 

[pickupman66]

with a mouth like that... grouper...how big is it? looks pretty and mean.

 

[BroncosZOA]

Check out those jaws def a grouper or a snapper and a HOT ONE at that. Maybe a Juvi thou

 

[Demonic]

I would agree, that is a huge mouth for a small fish. Its probably going to get big, but really nice looking.

 

[sfreefer]

Tilapia.

 

[Aloha Corals]

It's only about 3 to 3-1/2".

Sent from my Droid before the battery died.

 

[secretreefer]

ill check my books.

 

[pickupman66]

I am thinking paranthias..... went thru wet web media... Paranthias judging by body structure... Gorgeous fish. would be nice is a FO tank. but looks like it would eat anything that came close to fitting in its mouth.

 

[MatosZoas]

Beautifull fish

 

[copps]

Hey Kevin, I just got your email and responded... it's a juvenile Gracila albomarginata... too bad it grows large and turns into a striped turd!

I'd bet the juvenile coloration is a result of convergent evolution... resulting in aggresive mimcry in which this species mimics some of the harmless anthias like Pseudanthias tuka... it's kind of funny how it threw you off... it does the same for the poor little fish that it preys upon... the little fish thinks it's an anthias and WHAM... it's eaten... when it grows beyond the size of the species it mimics the mimicry no longer benefits it... and it turns into the turd it was before... :) Pretty neat in terms of nature... but not if you are looking to market this fish to the aquarium community! :)

Copps

 

[pickupman66]

WOw.. Copps... Great explanation.

Found it!!!
View Gracila albomarginata

 

[clowns101]

Its a very interesting fish for sure...to bad its not safe for our tanks. Ive never heard or seen of these fish before!lol

 

[secretreefer]

and too bad it turns into a striped turd.....

 

[copps]

It's okay guys... Kevin could just tell the boys in Hong Kong it's an undescribed anthias and they could have it for just $500 if they take 500 flame angels and yellow tangs... :D

 

[milkman]

Wow, talk about Beauty and the Beast - juvi looks great, adult not so much.

 

[clowns101]

and too bad it turns into a striped turd.....

Yeah...its pretty attractive fish IMO at its young age.

It's okay guys... Kevin could just tell the boys in Hong Kong it's an undescribed anthias and they could have it for just $500 if they take 500 flame angels and yellow tangs... :D

haha...they buy every thing "rare" or "undescribed" in Hong Kong, he could get more than $500 for it :xd: hahahaha

 

[copps]

Yeah...its pretty attractive fish IMO at its young age.



haha...they buy every thing "rare" or "undescribed" in Hong Kong, he could get more than $500 for it :xd: hahahaha

They do like the rare and undescribed... but they pinch pennies in acquiring them more than anyone else too...

 

[clowns101]

They do like the rare and undescribed... but they pinch pennies in acquiring them more than anyone else too...

Oh yeah, did you see those picasso saddle back clownfish that sold into Hong Kong for $10k+ I think it was?Crazy the prices we pay, but we cant say much diffirent for soem stuff I guess....

 

[ReeferBean]

What do you guys have against striped turds? Geesh to each their own.

 

[Aloha Corals]

Mahalo to all for your help. Even if you searched and didn't find anything, i am greatful for your effort.

Aloha!

Hey Kevin, I just got your email and responded... it's a juvenile Gracila albomarginata... too bad it grows large and turns into a striped turd!

I'd bet the juvenile coloration is a result of convergent evolution... resulting in aggresive mimcry in which this species mimics some of the harmless anthias like Pseudanthias tuka... it's kind of funny how it threw you off... it does the same for the poor little fish that it preys upon... the little fish thinks it's an anthias and WHAM... it's eaten... when it grows beyond the size of the species it mimics the mimicry no longer benefits it... and it turns into the turd it was before... :) Pretty neat in terms of nature... but not if you are looking to market this fish to the aquarium community! :)

Copps

Thanks for the email this morning. I got it. Crazy the difference between the juvi and adult. so drastic! These pictures do not do the fish any justice. It looks so much better in person. You are probably right about Hong Kong, though not so much on the price. :) (i wish)

Oh yeah, did you see those picasso saddle back clownfish that sold into Hong Kong for $10k+ I think it was?Crazy the prices we pay, but we cant say much diffirent for soem stuff I guess....

I have thought that before on prices, but then i used to build and race cars as a hobby too. Saltwater hobby is actually cheap. :)