What is this fish?

[jhemdal1]

Here is another fish. I'm about 90% sure I know the species, but there is also some taxonomic confusion between two sister species, so I'll accept either name....and of course, I could be wrong with my provisional I.D., so I sure would like somebody to confirm this for me:

 

[kgross]

Not positive but I believe it is a Halichoeres species of wrasse looks close to the ornate and melanurus but I am not sure.

Kim

 

[jhemdal1]

Well, thats the thing - I'm 90% sure it is the genus Coris....

Jay

 

[kgross]

I tried.... Next!

 

[dvmsn]

Coris atlantica Sub-terminal male?

 

[jhemdal1]

Yep, thats what I think - although there is some debate as to if Coris atlantica is the same species as Coris julis.

Jay

 

[atnixon]

Coris atlantica Sub-terminal male?

Coloration seems wrong to me for a coris atlantica....

 

[jhemdal1]

Hi atnixon,

Of course, thats the problem with I.D.ing wrasses by coloration - they are variable in color by size, sex, time of day, location and apparently by whim! First off, I had the benefit of knowing that the fish was collected off Ghana. Knowing this, I then pretty much ignore the overall color pattern and hue, these are too variable. I look for landmarks such as the blue spot at the end of the opercula, and the spot on its nape. These don't change, and seem to be diagnostic for that species. Wirtz has a photo of an older male where the orange chevrons are lacking, but those same three spots are there.
I think the only real question is to the problem of lumping C. atlantica with C. julis, or splitting them. I'm a lumper at heart, and I've seen photos of fish that look like intergrades, so I'm not really quick to call this either species right now.

Jay

 

[Anonymous]

Going strictly on morphology and ignoring color, I'd say Coris as well. Aside from that, I couldn't say what species.

 

[IconicAquariums]

Jay,

peter wirtz confirmed a few months back that this fish is 100% C. atlantica.