Can anyone identify this fish?

KMSReefer · Feb 11, 2018

My lfs got a shipment in with these guys labeled as zebra dartfish which is quite obviously wrong. From what the lfs says they came in with a shipment from Sri Lanka. The characteristics I have observed so far are that it is bottom dwelling and has distinct walking apendges similar to a scorpion fish, is predatory in nature, and has a total length of roughly 1.5-2 inches.

Some pictures are below:

Any help identifying these guys would be appreciated.

Big G · Feb 11, 2018

Don't know what it is, but it is very cool looking. Score!

Big G · Feb 11, 2018

Sure looks a lot like a Tompot Blenny. If so, this is a baby one. These can grow to about 12"

Saltlife · Feb 11, 2018

I have no idea what he is other than he's cool! Stands on his fins like a blenny.

KMSReefer · Feb 11, 2018

I thought tompot myself but the tompot has a continuous dorsal fin where these two don't. They also seem to like staying together as much as possible.

BrandonR · Feb 11, 2018

Big G said:
Sure looks a lot like a Tompot Blenny. If so, this is a baby one. These can grow to about 12"

i just looked these up. geeze that is a big blenny

Saltlife · Feb 11, 2018

After that curiosity got the best of me and had to see for myself. I would be scared to reach in the tank with him in there. Still cool though.

KMSReefer · Feb 11, 2018

Here are a few more pictures.

eatbreakfast · Feb 11, 2018

They are blenny from the genus Paraclinus. Super personable.

KMSReefer · Feb 11, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
They are blenny from the genus Paraclinus. Super personable.

Any idea what species and if they occur around Sri Lanka?

wowkingjames · Feb 11, 2018

Those are beautiful fish, did you get a pair?

wowkingjames · Feb 11, 2018

I like your zoas too.

KMSReefer · Feb 11, 2018

I got the two that were staying together at the lfs and they have stayed together in my tank so I'm hoping they are a pair.

eatbreakfast · Feb 12, 2018

KMSReefer said:
Any idea what species and if they occur around Sri Lanka?

There are no species that occur naturally in Sri Lanka, however Sri Lanka is a hub for aquarium fish, so fish from pretty much anywhere can end up in shipments from there.

Kamden Uelton · Feb 12, 2018

I wouldn't be shopping at that LFS anymore if they called that a Zebra Dartfish!

eatbreakfast · Feb 12, 2018

Kamden Uelton said:
I wouldn't be shopping at that LFS anymore if they called that a Zebra Dartfish!

I would. Mis-identifications are one of the best ways to get a bargain on fish and there are plenty of other sources for identification and care.

Kmsutows · Feb 12, 2018

Man I would have guessed some type of wasp fish, pretty cool!

KMSReefer · Feb 12, 2018

The lfs knew the fish was labelled wrong and it actually very knowledgeable. It was the supplier in Sri Lanka that labelled it wrong.

KMSReefer · Feb 12, 2018

After further research I have discovered that these are emerald blennys and are in fact from Sri Lanka. They are technically not blennys and are actually a triplefin. They are benthic in nature and occur in intertidal pools.