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Q: tropical reef fish taxonomy ( Answered 1 out of 5 stars,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: tropical reef fish taxonomy
Category: Science
Asked by: jody1966-ga
List Price: $6.00
Posted: 08 May 2004 23:22 PDT
Expires: 07 Jun 2004 23:22 PDT
Question ID: 343422
While snorkeling in Maui today, I saw a bright yellow brotula-shaped
fish, about 10-12 inches long.  I can't find it in any of my books or web sites. 
Any idea what it is?  The environment was mostly rocky with some coral,
and the fish was swimming along the bottom at about 15 feet deep.
Answer  
Subject: Re: tropical reef fish taxonomy
Answered By: palitoy-ga on 07 Jun 2004 09:33 PDT
Rated:1 out of 5 stars
 
Hello Jody1966

Now I am jealous, I would love to be snorkelling in Maui today... it
is roasting hot here today and I am stuck indoors!

Anyway, back to the question... I have done some research on this fish
with the information you have supplied and I suspect it is one of the
following fish.

TRUMPETFISH (Aulostomus chinensis)
Long, thin body. Adept at color change. Most common phase is brown to
reddish brown; can be blue-gray, bright yellow or many shades between.
Have pale lines, scattered small black spots, and a black streak on
upper jaw.  Maximum size 36".

PEACOCK GROUPER (Cephalopholis argus)
Bright blue spots covering body.  Dark brown to olive body covered in
bright blue spots.  Often have body bars on rear half of body. 
Introduced to Hawaii in 1956.  Maximum size 24".

BLUESTRIPED SNAPPER (Lutjanus kasmira)
Four narrow bright blue stripes with dark edges. Yellow body and fins,
with dark snout and four bright blue stripes with dark edges.
Introduced to Hawaii in 1958. Maximum size 15".

Links to a Hawaiian fish guide (with pictures):
http://www.reef.org/webres/gallery/haw/page01.htm
http://www.reef.org/webres/gallery/haw/page02.htm
http://www.reef.org/webres/gallery/haw/page03.htm
http://www.reef.org/webres/gallery/haw/page04.htm
http://www.reef.org/webres/gallery/haw/page05.htm
http://www.reef.org/webres/gallery/haw/page06.htm

These are some of the commoner species around the Hawaiian islands and
hopefully your fish will be one of these.  If it is not please ask for
clarification and give any further information that you can, I am here
to help you!

Clarification of Answer by palitoy-ga on 10 Jun 2004 10:32 PDT
I am sorry you did not take the effort to post for clarification on
this question as I am sure I could have provided you with the answer.
jody1966-ga rated this answer:1 out of 5 stars
Unfortunately, the answer bore no resemblance to the question I asked.
The scientist did not take into account the fairly obvious fact that I
had already done quite a bit of research prior to asking the question
and then sent me completely unrelated guesses.

Comments  
Subject: Re: tropical reef fish taxonomy
From: infomatron-ga on 07 Jun 2004 07:48 PDT
 
Hello,
  You might find help for your question at: http://www.reef.org
Also, check your local library for fish guides: 
http://www.librarieshawaii.org/

 Have you tried a Google/Images search?
http://images.google.com/images?q=maui+fish+yellow&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search
Subject: Re: tropical reef fish taxonomy
From: coralman-ga on 09 Mar 2005 09:20 PST
 
Spend a day with http://www.fishbase.org if you haven't already.




Sunshine Corals
http://www.sunshinecorals.com

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