What is that?

[falloutx]

Was diving in Malaysia, Pulau Dayang when we spotted this fish in between some logs. I took a friend's picture as I don't have a underwater camera. Any idea what is it from that close up shot?

We suspect it is a Stargazer.....

 

[Vie]

I was using the information below to try and ID the fish...

http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/keys/description.cfm?keycode=327

Seeing the rest of the body would help. Stargazers usually bury themselves in the sand and do not have a "camouflaged" appearance when out in the open - your picture shows a fish that is well camouflaged and from looking at the eyes, I'm just not sure that it's a stagazer...

 

[donnyb]

Prrreeeettttyyyy sure its a reef stonefish. Synanceia verrucosa. I have similar pics.

 

[ch0ppersrule]

I was thinking a stonefish (if they are in that area) or a scorpionfish.

 

[Bubble Junky]

Devil Scorpionfish - possibly. or as mentioned, a stonefish. How big was it ? What was the body shape ? It's not a stargazer.

 

[Chad_Ordelheide]

I'm 99% Sure it's a stonefish. I have very closeup pictures of them and the eyes cones/swirls are quite unique to them!! Nice Find! I haven't seen a stargazer yet, but most pictures of them are a lot whiter!

 

[isurus]

stonefish for me too.

 

[falloutx]

thanks...

spooky little thing!

 

[MarkUK]

Definitely a stonefish – very different shape to scorpionfish. Stargazers are ugly little buggers as well, but very different to this fella. Nice find...

Mark