Unidentified species, 28/11/11

Unidentified species in the aquarium. It shares a tank with the Blacksaddle filefish, the Valentinni\'s sharpnose puffer, a yellow tang and the snowflake moray - Aquarium - Chester Zoo - 28/11/11

fork-tailed grouper (Cephalopholis urodeta), looking nothing whatsoever like the illustration in my book of the same species.

no wonder it's identity was a mystery!!

The tail in the photo appears rounded, not forked.

the name "fork-tailed grouper" refers to markings on the tail. The caudal fin itself is rounded.
[ame=http://www.google.co.nz/search?rlz=1T4ADRA_enNZ390NZ392&q=Cephalopholis+urodeta&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=snZUT7PgDK2YiAenpLXCCw&biw=1600&bih=746&sei=tHZUT7CoMumNmQW0q4CcCg]Cephalopholis urodeta - Google Search[/ame]

It has several other common names as well.

Of course, I should have guessed.

I noticed today that this tank is now labelled, but I assumed that this mystery was solved and didn't bother to note down the name. I don't think it was the one mentioned above, but it could be a synonym. So JR take paper and pen on your next visit.

Alan

gentle lemur said:

I noticed today that this tank is now labelled, but I assumed that this mystery was solved and didn't bother to note down the name. I don't think it was the one mentioned above, but it could be a synonym. So JR take paper and pen on your next visit.

Alan

Click to expand...

I photographed the sign on a recent visit, the label uses the common name 'Flag-tailed grouper'

Javan Rhino said:

I photographed the sign on a recent visit, the label uses the common name 'Flag-tailed grouper'

Click to expand...

Smart move

Alan

The ones I've seen don't have that facial blotch - and the tail should have two white stripes, one in each lobe.