Fish ID- eviota or trimma sp. goby?

[Rtaylor]

Hi, hoping for help with a specific identification. I believe this is a goby either eviota or trimma species, but haven’t been able to find an exact match . The little guy is camera shy so I did my best on pics. The dark front dorsal fin and the spotted back dorsal fin eliminated a lot of options (unless this is a feature only in juveniles or something?). He likes to hide in burrows in the sand and is holding his own against my royal gramma and yellow tail damsel. Thanks for any input you might have!

 

[i cant think]

Hi, hoping for help with a specific identification. I believe this is a goby either eviota or trimma species, but haven’t been able to find an exact match . The little guy is camera shy so I did my best on pics. The dark front dorsal fin and the spotted back dorsal fin eliminated a lot of options (unless this is a feature only in juveniles or something?). He likes to hide in burrows in the sand and is holding his own against my royal gramma and yellow tail damsel. Thanks for any input you might have!

This is definitely not a Trimma or Eviota species. I don’t think this is even a goby (Maybe a Basslet species).

 

[Rtaylor]

This is definitely not a Trimma or Eviota species. I don’t think this is even a goby (Maybe a Basslet species).

Thanks! I had started down that path but couldn’t find many species

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Looks like Parapercis schauislandii, the Redspotted Sandperch/Red Lizard Blenny/Lyretail Grubfish/Flagfin Weever to me.

 

[i cant think]

Looks like Parapercis schauislandii, the Redspotted Sandperch/Red Lizard Blenny/Lyretail Grubfish/Flagfin Weever to me.

+1 to this, the markings and body shape look identical to the photos shown.

 

[Rtaylor]

Looks like Parapercis schauislandii, the Redspotted Sandperch/Red Lizard Blenny/Lyretail Grubfish/Flagfin Weever to me.

Nailed it! Thank you!!!

 

[Rtaylor]

So after reading up on this fella, seems he could go after smaller fish. Anyone have experience on what exactly that would mean? Any fish smaller than itself? Or would it need to be significantly smaller to be at risk?

 

[i cant think]

So after reading up on this fella, seems he could go after smaller fish. Anyone have experience on what exactly that would mean? Any fish smaller than itself? Or would it need to be significantly smaller to be at risk?

Small fish to me sounds like any fish that’s 2 inch or less.

 

[Rtaylor]

Small fish to me sounds like any fish that’s 2 inch or less.

Ok, that would be great. He’s such an interesting fellow I’d hate to have to rehome him.

 

[WheatToast]

Update?

 

[Tamberav]

Beautiful fish

 

[Rtaylor]

Update?

@ISpeakForTheSeas
identified it correctly
Parapercis schauislandii, the Redspotted Sandperch/Red Lizard Blenny/Lyretail Grubfish/Flagfin Weever to me.

 

[WheatToast]

Is it still in your possession?

 

[Rtaylor]

Is it still in your possession?

Yes, doing well. So far hasn’t bothered anyone too much, but he is small yet. I suspect he may have eaten some hermit crabs…..but I don’t have any evidence.