Fish ID Help - Found in Curacao

[stronj1]

The top photo shows the fish with a chromis to give the size. The bottom photo is a closer up view of the top image. This appears to be some sort of wrasse but I don't see a match in the Humann Deloach books. Anyone know what it is? This was found in Curacao at about 40'

 

[T.C.]

What you got there is the 'ol willy and sneaky Rainbow Wrasse. It was a great picture you got of him.

It's important to remember that Wrasses can change color, and quite quickly too; and they have different patterns depending on where they live. So they're not always going to match the pictures in the Humann/Deloach books, which are a great source, and can be quite confusing. It's no wonder you didn't find a match in the books.

The face markings on Rainbow Wrasses as a species are much the same. Notice the blue stripe above the eyes, the darker stripe below it that bisects the eye, and the two blue lines immediately below the dark stripe.

The red eye colors serve to differentiate from the similar Clown Wrasse, which also has different head markings.

Lastly, the dark splotch on the tail, while nearly gone in your photo, (it's more of a larger spot of the same colors) is still present, and helps mark the species.

Halichoeres pictus

Rainbow Wrasse - Halichoeres pictus - Wrasses - - Caribbean Reefs

 

[stronj1]

What you got there is the 'ol willy and sneaky Rainbow Wrasse. It was a great picture you got of him.

It's important to remember that Wrasses can change color, and quite quickly too; and they have different patterns depending on where they live. So they're not always going to match the pictures in the Humann/Deloach books, which are a great source, and can be quite confusing. It's no wonder you didn't find a match in the books.

The face markings on Rainbow Wrasses as a species are much the same. Notice the blue stripe above the eyes, the darker stripe below it that bisects the eye, and the two blue lines immediately below the dark stripe.

The red eye colors serve to differentiate from the similar Clown Wrasse, which also has different head markings.

Lastly, the dark splotch on the tail, while nearly gone in your photo, (it's more of a larger spot of the same colors) is still present, and helps mark the species.

View attachment 445116
Halichoeres pictus
View attachment 445117
Rainbow Wrasse - Halichoeres pictus - Wrasses - - Caribbean Reefs

Thank you for the ID!

 

[T.C.]

Thank you for the ID!

You're welcome.

What' your opinion of the local Texas Diving? I'm moving back there in a week.

 

[stronj1]

You're welcome.

What' your opinion of the local Texas Diving? I'm moving back there in a week.

We have only dived Clear Springs Scuba Park bear Terrell. The vis is not great. There is a sunken shark you can swim in the mouth and out the tail. There is an albino catfish and some interesting bluegills. This park is heavily used for training.

 

[T.C.]

We have only dived Clear Springs Scuba Park bear Terrell. The vis is not great. There is a sunken shark you can swim in the mouth and out the tail. There is an albino catfish and some interesting bluegills. This park is heavily used for training.

So, not so Clear Springs.....

Ok. Just trying to get a feel for what's available in the Killeen/Austin area. Thanks!