This is how they normally look - click for detail.Behold Epinephelus cyanopodus!
It usually hangs out in the water column where it blends in by being blueish-grey with small spots, but it appears that it does display the dark cryptic coloration when wanting to hide, as in this video of one of them under the ex HMS Brisbane. I still feel that its very conspicuous black-and-white livery when dashing around among the bulls is meant as a deterrent - but who knows. As so often, it will forever remain a rather preposterous but I think, quite charming and alas, quite untestable hypothesis!
Congratulations to Rob S who wins a week of diving!
The individual Grouper at the top is here so if you make quick arrangements, you may end up meeting him in person! He's quite a feisty little fella who likes hanging around the bait and very much appears to have established permanent residence in the SRMR. Please write to the dive shop, and Andrew and Nani will be happy to reserve your space.
The diagnostic feature?
The principal give-away was the straight edge of the tail - and in fact, the tails of the other proposed Groupers have either concave or convex edges.
Detail detail! :)
Special honorable mention goes to JSD for Latimeria chalumnae!
4 comments:
Exactly! It was all about the tail.
Well done!
Please drop a message to Andrew and Nani - I sure hope you like Sharks, too!
It just so happens I study them. I have been following your blog for a couple of years and I assure you that diving on Shark Reef has been on my 'to do' list for all that time.
Excellent - looking forward to meeting you! :)
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