What Fish?

[the_cat_keeper]

Fish is approximately 20cm long, and I often found it to be "resting" among the corals, just as shown in this picture. This particular picture was taken in Redang, Malaysia.

Its shape kind of reminds me of a sweetlip. Is it one?

 

[justleesa]

Looks like some kind of Hawkfish. Where did you see it?

 

[the_cat_keeper]

Pulau Redang in West Malaysia.

 

[Walter]

I don't know the specific fish, but it's in the sea bass family.

 

[Vie]

It’s some kind of grouper (Walter is right—sea bass family)—I am guessing Cephalopholis boenak?

 

[justleesa]

the eye shape is like that of a hawkfish - might be a variation of one. Hope someone can answer you soon

 

[Walter]

Of course the eyes are similar, hawkfishes are tiny seabasses, as are hamlets, groupers are bigger seabasses. This one looks more like a grouper than a hawkfish.

 

[justleesa]

I was writing while you were and didn't see what you had posted Walter...and now seeing that the fish was 20 cm, that is indeed a bit bigger than most hawkfish.

 

[Walter]

I love those trianglar pupils. What is 20 cm anyway, about 9 inches?

 

[justleesa]

yeah, something like that. For quick measure we would spread thumb and pinkie and between the two it measures about 20cm (strangly it's about the same for almost everybody).