Let Them Flash!
- Thread starter H.Tanaka
- Start date
Now I show the next species, Paracheilinus mccoskeri; McCosker's Flasher Wrasse.
It ranges the Indian Ocean, from Kenya, South Africa, islands of Indian Ocean, and east to Andaman Sea. A photograph of a male was taken in Bali (aquarium release?).
It is closely related to P. carpenteri and P. flavianalis.
It reaches some 75mm. Kenya specimens are rarely seen in market, and most will be shipped from the Maldives.
The photo shows a male in display, and the species has only one filament (yellow) on dorsal fin, a red area on outer 2/3 part of anal fin with blue spots.
It ranges the Indian Ocean, from Kenya, South Africa, islands of Indian Ocean, and east to Andaman Sea. A photograph of a male was taken in Bali (aquarium release?).
It is closely related to P. carpenteri and P. flavianalis.
It reaches some 75mm. Kenya specimens are rarely seen in market, and most will be shipped from the Maldives.
The photo shows a male in display, and the species has only one filament (yellow) on dorsal fin, a red area on outer 2/3 part of anal fin with blue spots.
This male (6cm) came from Kenya coast, with an unusual anal fin; the red area covers much of the fin, and with a few blue spots. Also its pelvic fins are partly red. Other features are almost identical in coloration to males from the Maldives. Not treated as a new species by ichthyologists.
Hey Tanaka, I got a question for you. I've got this juvenile flasher of some sort. It's a red, with white belly. It has stripes on it that are broken. Just like the picture you posted above of the McCosker. It has no hint of yellow yet, so is it likely that it could be that guy? I tried to id it with the fariy wrasse book, I don't recall who wrote it, but this is the closest thing that I could find.
Palani,
It is just difficult to tell who's juvenile. Juveniles of P. mccoskeri, carpenteri and flavianalis are almost identical in appearance, but if yours came from Indian Ocean it should be mccoskeri. P. carpenteri comes from northwestarn Pacific, and flavianalis only from Indonesia and Western Australia. Any photo ?
It is just difficult to tell who's juvenile. Juveniles of P. mccoskeri, carpenteri and flavianalis are almost identical in appearance, but if yours came from Indian Ocean it should be mccoskeri. P. carpenteri comes from northwestarn Pacific, and flavianalis only from Indonesia and Western Australia. Any photo ?
Peter Schmiedel
New member
HI Hiroyuki,
good the read you here and I hope on day we can "convince" you to visit us in Germany as discussed last year
I have one question. To me it looks like you mostly keep males only? At least I only rarely have seen females on your pictures - in fact I am not sure I even have seen one. I would expect that they show much more coloration if kept together with females?
Here in Europe the biggest problem is to find females followed by the fact to match the femals to the correct species which is often impossible
Take care!
good the read you here and I hope on day we can "convince" you to visit us in Germany as discussed last year
I have one question. To me it looks like you mostly keep males only? At least I only rarely have seen females on your pictures - in fact I am not sure I even have seen one. I would expect that they show much more coloration if kept together with females?
Here in Europe the biggest problem is to find females followed by the fact to match the femals to the correct species which is often impossible
Take care!
heuerfan,
It is a hybridized specimen of Paracheilinus, having an aberrant caudal fin. It is not of P. filamentosus or of P. flavianalis. See attached photo, and you may find their differences. P. filamentosus has a slightly double emarginate caudal fin with long filamentous tips, but in P. flavianalis it is rounded. There are several lines in the center of the caudal fin of your specimen, and it is a feature of P. filamentosus. Also the stripes on side are broader, and are those of P. flavianalis. anal fin is almost entirely yellow (with blue dots), and it is of P. flavianalis, not of carpenteri or of mccoskeri (both have a red and yellow fin).
There are so many specimens between these two species imported and in nature photographed by divers, but I should say that this is only speculation, not by examination. Usually males of hybrids between these two species have two yellow spots on upper and lower parts of caudal peduncle posteriorly, but they cannot be seen in P. filamentosus.
Peter,
Perhaps I talked over with you but I cannot remeber on what episode, and I am sorry. Females are more less than males at retailers, because shippers think that almost all the aquarists hope to get males only; males are surely much more colorful.
rumor,
Flashers tend to stand up in a tank when it feels stress or slightly threat other Paracheilinus. Anyway the photos are so nice.
It is a hybridized specimen of Paracheilinus, having an aberrant caudal fin. It is not of P. filamentosus or of P. flavianalis. See attached photo, and you may find their differences. P. filamentosus has a slightly double emarginate caudal fin with long filamentous tips, but in P. flavianalis it is rounded. There are several lines in the center of the caudal fin of your specimen, and it is a feature of P. filamentosus. Also the stripes on side are broader, and are those of P. flavianalis. anal fin is almost entirely yellow (with blue dots), and it is of P. flavianalis, not of carpenteri or of mccoskeri (both have a red and yellow fin).
There are so many specimens between these two species imported and in nature photographed by divers, but I should say that this is only speculation, not by examination. Usually males of hybrids between these two species have two yellow spots on upper and lower parts of caudal peduncle posteriorly, but they cannot be seen in P. filamentosus.
Peter,
Perhaps I talked over with you but I cannot remeber on what episode, and I am sorry. Females are more less than males at retailers, because shippers think that almost all the aquarists hope to get males only; males are surely much more colorful.
rumor,
Flashers tend to stand up in a tank when it feels stress or slightly threat other Paracheilinus. Anyway the photos are so nice.
Paracheilinus bellae Randall, 1988
Bell's Flasher Wrasse
It ranges the Marshalls (type locality; Kwajalein), Palau and Iriomote Island (the Ryukyus, Japan). Probably more wide spread.
It can reach 10cm including the long filaments of caudal fin.
The yellow area on the caudal fin is characteristic, and more than ten narrow lines and numerous fine dots on side.
I have never seen it alive. So I show here a shot of holotype from Kwajalein photographed by John E. Randall.
Bell's Flasher Wrasse
It ranges the Marshalls (type locality; Kwajalein), Palau and Iriomote Island (the Ryukyus, Japan). Probably more wide spread.
It can reach 10cm including the long filaments of caudal fin.
The yellow area on the caudal fin is characteristic, and more than ten narrow lines and numerous fine dots on side.
I have never seen it alive. So I show here a shot of holotype from Kwajalein photographed by John E. Randall.
The photo is used in various books and shown as P. bellae but I do not believe. It was taken by Hiroshi Nagano in Palau, and is 75mm.
The male is differing from P. bellae in having several stripes, and no yellow area on caudal fin, etc. It would represent an undescribed species, but no specimen is available.
I need more shots of P. bellae and similar species from the northern Pacific, and could any reader kindly provide me with photos ?
The male is differing from P. bellae in having several stripes, and no yellow area on caudal fin, etc. It would represent an undescribed species, but no specimen is available.
I need more shots of P. bellae and similar species from the northern Pacific, and could any reader kindly provide me with photos ?
Hiroyuki,
If I am lucky, I have a possibility of acquiring P. bellae in middle May. If so, I will be happy to provide images. If am not lucky then, there is still a possibility in later May. I will keep you advised.
Thanks for providing the information out of sequence.
If I am lucky, I have a possibility of acquiring P. bellae in middle May. If so, I will be happy to provide images. If am not lucky then, there is still a possibility in later May. I will keep you advised.
Thanks for providing the information out of sequence.
moonpod,
How long is it ? The fin coloration seems transparent, but as you say, if it is over 7-8cm long it can flash. The reason for non-display seems that there is no other "males" of Paracheilinus or environment of your tank. I always turn off all the light in the room but that of the tank, and you may see it flash in the evening to night.
scchase,
Yes, yours is very similar but the dorsal-fin color is differing a bit. It also has a purplish body like P. cyaneus. Anyway keep me informed and get more pics to show here, please.
snorvich,
Thank you for your future pics, and I will greatly look forward to seeing them.
How long is it ? The fin coloration seems transparent, but as you say, if it is over 7-8cm long it can flash. The reason for non-display seems that there is no other "males" of Paracheilinus or environment of your tank. I always turn off all the light in the room but that of the tank, and you may see it flash in the evening to night.
scchase,
Yes, yours is very similar but the dorsal-fin color is differing a bit. It also has a purplish body like P. cyaneus. Anyway keep me informed and get more pics to show here, please.
snorvich,
Thank you for your future pics, and I will greatly look forward to seeing them.
