Beautiful Longnose Filefishes from Nth Queensland, Australia

[Marriard]

Almost cartoon like in coloration and shape, these are Longnose Filefish ( Oxymonacanthus longirostris). They live inside large colonoes of hard corals, and are suprisingly quick and shy which makes them tough subjects. The bright coloration likely indicates to predators that they are poisonous to eat, although they are suprisingly tough to see amongst the deep hard coral formations they live in.

These images were taken on top of the Pinnacle dive site which is part of the Great Deatched Reef system in far North Queensland not far from Raine Island.

Enjoy,
M

 

[Mike Veitch]

Great shots...

Def. a tough little SOB to shoot...

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Very striking! Nice shots!

 

[mjh]

Having tried to photograph these guys with no luck that first shot is amazing!

 

[sapphire]

Wonderful shots! Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[SeaYoda]

Neat fish - nice catch!

 

[Jamdiver]

Wonderful shots and a great series of captures there!