Name this fish!

[jhemdal1]

All,

I just returned from the Galapgos Islands. I came across this fish swimming amongst the seaweed in about 4 feet of water in Tagus Cove, Isabella island. I had never seen one before. Anyone care to guess what it is?

Jay Hemdal
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[Anonymous]

Looks a little yellower than gold, but a trevally, maybe?

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

My best guess is a juvenile of Oplegnathus conwayi, commonly called a "knifejaw". I can't find a live picture of one but the drawing I have looks exactly the same.

The only problem is it's native to Africa, not the E. Pacific. :?

 

[Anonymous]

Ah, nevermind. The juveniles look almost identical.

What you spotted was a juvenile of Oplegnathus insignis there, Jay.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't put one in your reef tank! The adults get about 2' long, and they're ugly. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think that's the same fish Matt. Look at the fins, they don't really match IMO.

 

[jhemdal1]

Matt,

Yep - thats what it is. When I first saw it, I just couldn't figure it out. I couldn't get very close to it and the currents and surf were tossing me around too much. The only fish with the same body shape from this area was the knifejaw, but I didn't know the juveniles were so distinctively colored - None of the books I had with me menitioned the juvenile coloration. Fishbase has a photo of a juvenile, but there was no Internet access on the boat<grin>. I also saw one harlequin hogfish, also very shy and difficult (for me) to photograph.

Jay Hemdal

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think that's the same fish Matt. Look at the fins, they don't really match IMO.

I looked through nearly every damn one of the 400 or so fish species that occur in the Galapagos to find that fish. I hope I'm right. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Jay, that is an awesome looking specimen. I really like the Bodianus genus but was unfamiliar with this species until today. It appears the adults in the Galapagos are highly variable, almost like koi. Check out some of these shots.

I also included another shot of the knifejaw. Looks like those are pretty variable too.