Wrasse ID please help.

[B1mmer]

Please help me identify this wrasse. According to my guy at my LFS, this was labeled as a black wrasse from his distributor. We spent a lot of time going through his books and posters of wrasses as well as google searches but we came up with nothing.

The body appears solid black with a white vertical band on her tail. The body also appears lighter when the flash is on. It's hard to make out, but there are horizonal lines on the head and chest part. To me, the body shape is very similar to Anampses. I'm not an expert though. Thanks.

 

[sublime9182]

I am nothing close to an expert but what about
Anampses geographicus
Or
Anampses lineatus

Check this out
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/wrasses/anampses/

 

[B1mmer]

Hi Sublime. That was actually my first "go to" link. I compared and contrasted with the geographicus photo on that link and also other geographicus photos online,but the one I have does not have a bottom eyespot.
I also thought that it could be a lineatus, but the clear end of the tail of the one I have throws me off.
Thanks for the help.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Wrasse ID please help.

Number and location of spots sometimes vary by gender and perhaps to a certain degree by age.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Wrasse ID please help.

Double post.

 

[B1mmer]

Number and location of spots sometimes vary by gender and perhaps to a certain degree by age.

Oh ok. Thanks. So is it a geographicus? It's such an awesome fish right now, but if it is a geographicus, then I'll be in trouble when it's grown.

 

[sublime9182]

Check these http://www.fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNameSearchList.php

Click on pictures at the top of each link

 

[zebrasoma17]

Looks like juvenile dusky wrasse. Halichoerus marginatus (or lamari or annularis species name is in dispute). I have several in my 200 gallon tank..

 

[B1mmer]

Check these http://www.fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNameSearchList.php

Click on pictures at the top of each link

Nice! Awesome tool. Thank you. I still can't figure out what species though.

 

[B1mmer]

Looks like juvenile dusky wrasse. Halichoerus marginatus (or lamari or annularis species name is in dispute). I have several in my 200 gallon tank..

Yeah, it does bear a resemblance to a dusky. So maybe this is a dusky but has lost it's juvenile horizontal stripes?

 

[zebrasoma17]

Yeah, it does bear a resemblance to a dusky. So maybe this is a dusky but has lost it's juvenile horizontal stripes?

yeah, they lose their white stripes as they grow. Check Rudie Kuiter's "Fairy and Rainbow Wrasses and their relatives" page 132 and 133 for photos of juveniles and initial phase specimens. Al

 

[eatbreakfast]

Yes, it is definitely a young dusky wrasse, Halichoeres marginatus. This fish will go through significantly greater changes than just the loss of horizontal white stripes, but is a truly beautiful specimen when it becomes a male.

 

[B1mmer]

Thanks everyone! I started reading up on dusky wrasse. It says online that they are peaceful temperament and difficult care level. I might have a dysfunctional one
He's one of the smaller wrasses in the tank but he is the boss of everyone. He eats first, he eats the most, and he chases anyone that tried to eat with him.
I'm glad he turned out to be a dusky. I wouldn't know what to do if he turned out to be a geographicus.