It's Thursday here....

[Scuba Jim]

Here’s a weird fish for you.

It’s Latin name is Rhinopias aphanes . Common name is Merlot’s scorpionfish or weedy scorpionfish. Most people just call them Rhinopias .

This one was taken at End Bommie out of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. They come in all sorts of colours and are very rare. Despite their bright colours (orange, green, yellow, pink, some even black and dark blue) they are very diifcult to spot.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Thanks for sharing.
Rick

 

[Scuba Jim]

Here's another of a different colour!

 

[Dee]

Looks like a cousin to our Scorpionfish. What cool patterns and colors!

Thanks, Jim!

 

[norcaldiver]

I agree, it's gorgeous

 

[clive francis]

I am sure I have heard them called ghost scorpians as in ghost pipe fish.

 

[Scuba Jim]

it certainly is a beautiful creature. If you look at the first picture and see to the right some green frondy weed. Without a flash and with the correct colouring (some people think that rhinopias can change colour, but there's no proof of that!) they look just like that weed.

The second photo shows one that in the right circumstances can look like a feather star. In fact they sit in feather stars to catch their prey.

They are very difficult to find, and it really does take an expert to locate them!

They are indeed a species of scorpionfish.

Clive, no they are not and never were called ghost scorpionfish. In fact you will be pleased to know that a search on Google for "ghost scorpionfish" and "ghost scorpion fish" came up with zero hits.

 

[Natasha]

Jim:
WOW! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing all your PICS.