Who's Dis in Palau?

[SubMariner]

Ok, my turn!

Here's a little guy Pearce photographed during our recent trip to Palau. It was dusk, and this fish liked to hide in the rubble in only about 15' of water (sort of like the Mandarin Fish we were "hunting" )

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[isurus]

looks a little like the wrasse Wetmorella albofasciata:
http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.php?ID=4869

but the banding is different in these photos

 

[isurus]

maybe W. nigropinnata

 

[maractwin]

I think that it's a juvenile. Look at the large size of the eye compared to the rest of the head. That might explain the different stripe pattern, though it could be from a different genus entirely.

-Mark

 

[donnyb]

Its a juvenile Slingjaw Wrasse, Epibulus insidator
google the latin name, add juvenile
A poor photo exists in Myers' old edition of "Micronesian Reef Fishes" as well.

 

[Chad_Ordelheide]

I'd Agree, in the Myeres fish book I just leafed through the Juv Slingjaw looks to be the closest!! Going back to Palau next month so I'll see if it's grown up know

 

[SubMariner]

Many thanks to the awesome SB members who came up with the juv slingjaw wrasse. It certainly bears the closes resemblance to the picture I posted.

You all rock!