Guess this fish!

[jhemdal1]

O.K. fellow fishheads, guess this fish. It is very common in the right habitat, yet this is the first one I've actually worked with in 40+ years of aquarium keeping:

 

[Anonymous]

I've never seen this fish, but it looks a lot like a scat to me. Or... a bit like an archerfish (the fish that held such fascination for me as a child).

 

[jhemdal1]

seamaiden,

Yes, it superficially resembles a silver scat, but it is in a different family. It has an anti-tropical, marine distribution. You can find them in Japan, Australia, the Galapagos - places like that.


Jay

 

[Anonymous]

Oo.. a treasure hunt!

You know, if Bob Fenner were around I betcha I could show him that picture and he'd know the genus and species, and if either nomenclature has changed he'd know that, too. Sheesh, off to fishbase.

It sure is pretty. It's not a porgy of some sort.. is it?

 

[jhemdal1]

Nope, Not a Porgy or a Bess (errr, Bass). Not a drum, nor a croaker. Not a grunt or a crappie.....

The genus name is derived from the family name, and it is monotypic. I do not think there has been any nomenclature changes for quite some time.

Jay

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I spent about 45 minutes on fishbase. Iz dun cooked mah brainz. sheesh. Good hints, though... only that one species in the genus, eh? Is he as small as I think he is? I'm figuring... about 2"-3" at most, though could be smaller.

I don't think I'll be getting that cookie.

 

[jhemdal1]

Actually, I meant that there is only one genus in the family. I think there are 4 or 5 species in the genus. Yes, this is a baby - about 1.5" long. They get quite large, this one came from Japan.

Next hint: its common name sort of means "stiletto maxillary"


Jay

 

[dvmsn]

Oplegnathus fasciatus barred knifejaw. What do I win?

 

[jhemdal1]

Yes, thats what it is, but sorry, no cash prizes!


Jay

 

[jhemdal1]

Actually, this is the SECOND species of knifejaw I used to try to stump people. Here is a link to an earlier post back in 2006:

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... plegnathus

Jay

 

[Anonymous]

Neat little fish, thanks for sharing.

Yes, thats what it is, but sorry, no cash prizes!


Jay

Oh, haven't you heard about RDO Sump Bucks? I think it's a trade-in program. Ask Len about it, he'll know.

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, this is the SECOND species of knifejaw I used to try to stump people. Here is a link to an earlier post back in 2006:

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... plegnathus

Jay

I was just about to say that! Jay, I think you and I could have some very long fish geekery conversations that would bore other people to tears.

My first guess on this one without doing any looking was that it was a juvie Old Wife, but those are restricted to south AU, right?