Halcyon 0 Posted March 27 This picture was taken off the central coast of Peru (Pucusana - Lima to be more precise). I've seen this fish several times before, but have not been able to ID it. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwiftFF5 108 Posted March 27 I know nothing about Pacific fishes, but I wonder if this might be a juvenile something or other. Many times juveniles have very different coloration than their adult forms. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halcyon 0 Posted March 27 That is indeed a possibility to consider. Some local diver, who has not been able to totally id yet, told me it was from the Pomacentridae family and that locals call it a Zaphire Damselfis, which would id it as a Chrysiptera springeri...but further research indicates that he would be in the wrong part of the world as it's registered as only inhabiting the western pacific in tropical waters, unlike oour cold waters here in the southeastern pacific. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trimix125 62 Posted March 27 Hi,young damsel fishes are hard to id....Because you said Peru, Chromis alta?The Saphir Demoisell would be Chrysiptera cyanea,but my book is old ;-)) still wrong side of the ocean...Microspathodon dorsalis?The problem is as well that some names / failies were changed after genetic analysis...Good luck,Wolfgang Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chowe 0 Posted March 30 Could be a Juvenile Giant Damselfish, Microspathodon dorsalis. I've seen these in the Galapagos and also the Sea of Cortez. The iridescent blue spots and lines look right and also the lighter blue edge on the ventral and anal fins, although I've not seen one where the rest looks exactly like yours. On the ones I've seen the rest of the fish had dark blue scales outlined in black. Craig Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tursiops 77 Posted March 31 Could be a Juvenile Giant Damselfish, Microspathodon dorsalis. I've seen these in the Galapagos and also the Sea of Cortez. The iridescent blue spots and lines look right and also the lighter blue edge on the ventral and anal fins, although I've not seen one where the rest looks exactly like yours. On the ones I've seen the rest of the fish had dark blue scales outlined in black. Craig Fishbase.org is comfortable with seeing the Giant Damselfish off Peru....the ID looks pretty good for a juvenile. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halcyon 0 Posted April 8 Final ID (99.9%) is that of a juvenile Microspathodon dorsalis (Giant Damselfish). Thanks to everybody for their collaboration. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
