Plectropomus laevis is common at Kwajalein on most lagoon and seaward reefs. They come in two distinct adult color forms figured below. Anyone eating this species, particularly the larger ones, runs a high risk of getting a severe case of ciguatera fish poisoning. Don't try it. They tend to be somewhat curious and will watch divers in their area. We saw an exceptional number of large specimens, along with a lot of rather pushy gray reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) when diving the steep seaward reef on the south side of Ebadon Island at the northwest tip of Kwajalein Atoll. The first two photos below show the two primary color phases.
A few large individuals change their colors even a bit more, like this somewhat distant video shot below.
Asleep at night under the ski boat area wreck on the lagoon side of Kwajalein.
Some develop a reddish hue.
Toothy.
This one is a bit scraped up.
A young specimen. Juveniles like this and smaller are said to closely resemble a toxic sharp nose puffer, Canthigaster valentini, and may be protected by the mimicry.
Created 5 April 2017