Two fish to ID

[Geoff_H]

Anyone know what this strange looking creature is?
http://www.esnips.com/doc/86d0561f-3fd8-4b40-9fb8-d4341d25a014/what-is-this.jpg

Seems half eel, half fish to me....

And how about this? I think it might be a grouper or sweetlips but I am not too sure
http://www.esnips.com/doc/545de15a-5ac2-426f-832e-5faec7005da3/what-is-this2.jpg

Oh, I should mention these are both shot in Japan. The first one likes hiding under rocks and was at about 20m. The second one is common, and at all depths 2m to 30m.

cheers
Geoff

 

[Vie]

I think the second one is a silver sweetlips (Diagramma pictum).

 

[Geoff_H]

Thanks Vie! Makes sense... just the first, odd one to ID now!

 

[Rick Murchison]

Perhaps a Red Brotula Brosmophycis marginata[SIZE=+2] [/SIZE](or close kin) on the first one.
Rick

 

[Vie]

I now think the first one is a cusk eel (Family Ophidiidae). Some kind of Brotula... Maybe Brotula multibarbata.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I now think the first one is a cusk eel (Family Ophidiidae). Some kind of Brotula... Maybe Brotula multibarbata.

Yes... multibarbata looks better. Those prominent barbels fit better.
Rick

 

[Geoff_H]

Wow you guys rock

I am sure you're right, I googled and found this page

http://fishpix.kahaku.go.jp/fishimage/search?FAMILY_OPT=0&FAMILY=Ophidiidae

full of Brotula multibarbata and easy to see this is the correct fish. Cusk eels!

I see many wierd and wonderful creatures (to me!!!) and now I've found this forum I hope you won't mind if I pop back from time to time with new photos!

 

[Rick Murchison]

If they're like the rest of the Brotula (and I have no reason to think they wouldn't be) they're right tasty, too.
Rick

 

[eurotin]

Anyone know what this strange looking creature is?
http://www.esnips.com/doc/86d0561f-3fd8-4b40-9fb8-d4341d25a014/what-is-this.jpg

Seems half eel, half fish to me....

And how about this? I think it might be a grouper or sweetlips but I am not too sure
http://www.esnips.com/doc/545de15a-5ac2-426f-832e-5faec7005da3/what-is-this2.jpg

Oh, I should mention these are both shot in Japan. The first one likes hiding under rocks and was at about 20m. The second one is common, and at all depths 2m to 30m.

cheers
Geoff

was this in fresh water? I believe the first is a Fosil Catfish. I used to have one in my tank.

 

[Geoff_H]

Hi, this was in sea water...