Colourfull unknown

[alijtaylor]

Hi
The attached is a poor photo but that is usually the way of it. The fish is about 8 inches long, spotted in 5m of water, under coral on a beach in the Solomon Islands (Melanesia).

Behaviour - it darted about a lot under a rock and back out (hence the poor photo). Suggestions appreciated. I have tried my (one) reference book.

Alison

 

[Manuel Sam]

It has the color pattern of a juvenile Oriental Sweetlips and your description of its behavior is certainly consistent with that of a juvenile Sweetlips: ie, it is a test of your will and patience to take a picture of it. The only oddity is the size - I've never seen an 8-inch long juvenile - usually they tend to be 2 to 4 inches.

 

[Kilili]

Surely juvenile sweetlips, best match is Oriental, though size you reference is atypical.

 

[alijtaylor]

Thanks to both of you, I suspect my recall of size might leave a little to be desired! I was out walking today and discussed it with another local diver who guessed a juvenile sweetlips and looking at the photos in my book I suspect that is indeed what it was.
Cheers
Alison