This is apparently Pseudanthias cooperi, characterized by the vertical bar that develops in the middle of the body of males. Certain aspects of the coloration of Kwajalein fish, such as the blue and red on the ventral fins, differ somewhat from specimens photographed from other areas. It would be interesting to see how the DNA compares between different areas. At Kwaj, this species is usually at a depth of 30m or more on the seaward reef dropoff, and we have seen most of our specimens down near the west end of Kwajalein Island.
Created 5 June 2010