Hairy Scorpion Fish in Anilao?

[Karl_H]

I'm just wondering if anyone know the technical name for the fish shown below? I can't seem to find it and am becoming curious! I'm assuming it's a hairy or weedy scorpion fish but it doesn't seem to match any images I can find of ether species.



We managed to find one at Secret Bay in Anilao last weekend - it's a fish I've never seen before, although it turns out there were two of them a few inches apart but we didn't spot the second one for a few minutes

I think we got lucky as while trying to get some photos a juvenile flamboyant cuttlefish turned up before heading off straight towards blue-ring octopus sat on a small rock a few feet away!

Has anyone seen this species before in Anilao or is it one of those lucky finds?!

Thanks,

Karl

 

[jcclink]

Looks like an Ambon scorpionfish. Haven't dove the Philippines but seen them in Indonesia.

 

[Gen San Chris]

Hi Carl,
I agree with jcclink, an Ambon Scorpion Fish, Pteroidichthys amboinensis! Thats from the book by Helmut Debelius, Asia Pacific Reef Guide! I hope thats correct!

 

[bobshreve]

Hi, Carl. I think your picture is a Weedy Scorpionfish. "Coral Sea Reef Guide" had the most definitive picture. This book and "Diver's Guide to Reef Life" say the Weedy grows to 25 cm (9.8 inches). They have the Ambon at 8-15 cm (3-6 inches). Perhaps the size will help define it for you.

Sounds like a great dive. I'm passing that info to our dive group for this weekend; I'd like to see a weedy and a blue-ringed octopus.