Dr. Hiroyuki Motomura, Japan
Info
Iniistius is a small genus of wrasses native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans that includes over 20 scientifically recognized species .
Basic information about wrasses of the genus:
These wrasses have a highly compressed body, a notch separating the first two dorsal fin spines from the rest of the fin, and a steep forehead with a firm, knife-like leading edge that allows them to dive easily into the sand when threatened.
When startled or approached by predators, wrasses dive headfirst into the substrate and bury themselves with rapid, undulating movements of the body.
Unlike their relatives that are associated with coral reefs, Iniistius species live almost exclusively in wide, sandy habitats.
Because these habitats are often overlooked by divers, the biology and taxonomy of wrasses are poorly known; moreover, new species are discovered here less frequently.
Wrasses of the genus Iniistius are often associated with sandy habitats such as seagrass beds or broad sandy channels away from coral reefs.
Adults are usually subtly colored and have bright, reflective scales that match the sandy habitats in which they reside.
In contrast, juveniles use protective mimicry, mimicking dead leaves and other floating debris.
Very small juveniles are particularly convincing, displaying a sluggish, floating swimming style, with their elongated anterior dorsal-fin spines producing a very irregular silhouette.
Iniistius species are of little commercial interest and are caught as food fish throughout their range, albeit mostly by small-scale artisanal fisheries in island states.
Fortunately for science, specimens of the new Iniistius species could be spotted at a local fish market; it takes eagle eyes to spot a new species, which looks markedly different dead than in situ, in a pile of other fishes being peddled for sale.
About the new species:
The researchers described the new species using seven specimens from artisanal fish markets on the islands of Panay, Cebu, Bohol and Jolo in the Philippines and two specimens caught by trawl in the Dampier Archipelago in Western Australia at 54-57 m depth.
Iniistius bakunawa is a pale yellow to jade green wrasse with a large black and white central ellipsoid ocellus on the posterior margin of the dorsal fin and orange-yellow dorsal and anal fins with metallic blue wavy markings.
It is likely that Iniistius bakunawa occurs elsewhere in the Indo-West Pacific, particularly in the coral triangle between the Philippines and Western Australia.
Etymology.
The species name "bakunawa" is derived from Bakunawa, a serpentine or draconic figure in Visayan mythology believed to be responsible for causing a solar eclipse by devouring the moon.
The colloquial name was chosen after the black centered white ellipsoid ocellus on the posterior dorsal fin.
We extend special thanks to Prof. Dr. Hiroyuki Motomura, of Kagoshima University Museum, Japan, for permission to use his photograph of Iniistius bakunawa, paratype.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
Basic information about wrasses of the genus:
These wrasses have a highly compressed body, a notch separating the first two dorsal fin spines from the rest of the fin, and a steep forehead with a firm, knife-like leading edge that allows them to dive easily into the sand when threatened.
When startled or approached by predators, wrasses dive headfirst into the substrate and bury themselves with rapid, undulating movements of the body.
Unlike their relatives that are associated with coral reefs, Iniistius species live almost exclusively in wide, sandy habitats.
Because these habitats are often overlooked by divers, the biology and taxonomy of wrasses are poorly known; moreover, new species are discovered here less frequently.
Wrasses of the genus Iniistius are often associated with sandy habitats such as seagrass beds or broad sandy channels away from coral reefs.
Adults are usually subtly colored and have bright, reflective scales that match the sandy habitats in which they reside.
In contrast, juveniles use protective mimicry, mimicking dead leaves and other floating debris.
Very small juveniles are particularly convincing, displaying a sluggish, floating swimming style, with their elongated anterior dorsal-fin spines producing a very irregular silhouette.
Iniistius species are of little commercial interest and are caught as food fish throughout their range, albeit mostly by small-scale artisanal fisheries in island states.
Fortunately for science, specimens of the new Iniistius species could be spotted at a local fish market; it takes eagle eyes to spot a new species, which looks markedly different dead than in situ, in a pile of other fishes being peddled for sale.
About the new species:
The researchers described the new species using seven specimens from artisanal fish markets on the islands of Panay, Cebu, Bohol and Jolo in the Philippines and two specimens caught by trawl in the Dampier Archipelago in Western Australia at 54-57 m depth.
Iniistius bakunawa is a pale yellow to jade green wrasse with a large black and white central ellipsoid ocellus on the posterior margin of the dorsal fin and orange-yellow dorsal and anal fins with metallic blue wavy markings.
It is likely that Iniistius bakunawa occurs elsewhere in the Indo-West Pacific, particularly in the coral triangle between the Philippines and Western Australia.
Etymology.
The species name "bakunawa" is derived from Bakunawa, a serpentine or draconic figure in Visayan mythology believed to be responsible for causing a solar eclipse by devouring the moon.
The colloquial name was chosen after the black centered white ellipsoid ocellus on the posterior dorsal fin.
We extend special thanks to Prof. Dr. Hiroyuki Motomura, of Kagoshima University Museum, Japan, for permission to use his photograph of Iniistius bakunawa, paratype.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
