ID Help, Please

[rainmaker]

This photo was taken mid-morning in Nov. 2008 about a half-mile off the west coast of Jamaica near Negril, depth was about 50 feet.

 

[scubaskipper]

Creole wrasse?

 

[rainmaker]

Creole wrasse?

I think you are right. I just looked up the species in Paul Humann's "Reef Fish Identification" book and it states that the snout is usually dark purple (all of them in the photo have purple snouts), and the older ones can have some yellow to reddish areas on the lower rear body. Also, the shape of the tail is right.

Thanks!

 

[archman]

it states that the snout is usually dark purple (all of them in the photo have purple snouts), and the older ones can have some yellow to reddish areas on the lower rear body.

The colour variations on these things confuse a lot of people. I have a real hard time teaching new reef fish students how to ID them. The fact that they don't stay put very well also makes for poor ID's.

I've always wanted to see an adult school of these in an aquarium. I'm sure someplace must have this...

 

[ryan115]

I agree Clepticus parrae

 

[DennisW]

They are Creole Wrasse.

 

[billsreef]

Definitely a school of Creole Wrasse.