Let Me ID Your Wrasse!

[evolved]

Here is my large female Halichoeres wrasse a 5 inches female. Still cannot ID her. Not quite a Vrolikii and not quite a Melanurus either. Some pictures show clearer tail while other show the body coloration and pattern, or Dorsal and Anal fins better

It's looking very much like chrysotaenia to me, now.

 

[OrionN]

H. chrysotaenia is a synonym of H. vrolikii correct?

 

[evolved]

H. chrysotaenia is a synonym of H. vrolikii correct?

chrysotaenia is the valid name; vrolikii is a junior synonym (as strange as that seems).

 

[nereefpat]

It's looking very much like chrysotaenia to me, now.

Why do you say that, vs melanurus?

 

[evolved]

Why do you say that, vs melanurus?

The tail. That's the only way to distinguish the 2 species.

 

[nereefpat]

The tail. That's the only way to distinguish the 2 species.

What about this one? I don't take near as good of pictures as Minh, of course.

 

[evolved]

What about this one? I don't take near as good of pictures as Minh, of course.

melanurus

 

[nereefpat]

melanurus

I always thought so. What is the difference you see in the tail?

 

[evolved]

Lines versus dots

 

[robertbp17]

Got this guy afew days ago, was labeled as just Flasher wrasse.
Any idea what it is?

 

[evolved]

Got this guy afew days ago, was labeled as just Flasher wrasse.
Any idea what it is?

C. temminckii

 

[Wolf89]

@evolved
What do you think about this one. Collected in North Carolina. Slippery Dick?

 

[Wolf89]

 

[evolved]

Yes, mature H. bivittatus

 

[Wolf89]

Yes, mature H. bivittatus

Do they do okay in bare bottom or do I need sand?

 

[evolved]

Do they do okay in bare bottom or do I need sand?

Halichoeres need sand. A sand box will do the trick.

 

[Privateye]

Alright, I saved this photo from about 7 years ago so unfortunately I can't offer a clearer picture. My professor bought it from a LFS as a scarlet fairy wrasse. I've seen a few similar photos online, but no clear consensus on a species. I'd love to track one down for myself one day. Unfortunately the fish and the LFS are no longer with us. Would you mind IDing it for me if possible? The white patches are due to the light and camera, but not really the fish itself as I recall. The body is reddish magenta. Thanks!

 

[evolved]

Alright, I saved this photo from about 7 years ago so unfortunately I can't offer a clearer picture. My professor bought it from a LFS as a scarlet fairy wrasse. I've seen a few similar photos online, but no clear consensus on a species. I'd love to track one down for myself one day. Unfortunately the fish and the LFS are no longer with us. Would you mind IDing it for me if possible? Thanks!

That's P. lineopunctatus

 

[Privateye]

No kidding! There must be some extreme variation in colors within the species. I appreciate your help. Any idea if this phenotype is specific to a certain location? No worries if not. The heavy turquoise on the dorsal fin and the red-black fade on the tail really had me enamored.

 

[evolved]

No kidding! There must be some extreme variation in colors within the species. I appreciate your help. Any idea if this phenotype is specific to a certain location? No worries if not. The heavy turquoise on the dorsal fin and the red-black fade on the tail really had me enamored.

It's flashing in your photo. Most photos you'll see on Google are normal coloration.