This larva is Malacanthus brevirostris Guichenot, 1848. Taken at Black Water Dive® in Kume island Okinawa Japan.
Total length is about 55mm, relatively large larva. Snout is short protrusion. Frequently to treading water.
Color: Red horizontal stripes pattern on body. Caudal fin has yellow-green dye, the edge has been framed in white and that outside is transparent. The rim and the base of the dorsal and ventral fins has red and yellow-green spots.
Larva of Malacanthus brevirostris Guichenot, 1848 TL:55mm |
REFERENCES:
Nakabo, T. (ed.), 2013. Fishes of Japan with pictorial keys to the species, third edition. Tokai University Press, Kanagawa, Pp, 2428. (3-Volume Set) (in Japanese).
Okiyama M. (ed), 2014. An Atlas of Early Stage Fishes in Japan Second Edition Tokai University Press, Japan. :Pp,1912. (in Japanese).