Izuzuki Diver, Satoshi Yamamoto, Japan
Info
Parascolopsis inermis is a species of false snapper widely distributed in the Indian Ocean and the western Indo-Pacific.
The species is generally considered sedentary, but recent sightings in the South and East China Seas somewhat limit this assumption.
It is also interesting to note that the species’ depth range is generally thought to begin at depths of 50 meters; however, photographs taken by Satoshi Yamamoto of Japan contradict this, as he was able to photograph the two species shown here at depths of 13 meters and 18 meters.
A pale yellowish monocle bream, silvery on the underside, with four broad reddish stripes on the back, paler, indistinct reddish stripes in the spaces between them, and a yellowish dorsal fin with numerous red spots.
The false snapper is pale yellowish, with a silvery underside;
four broad, dark reddish stripes run along its back, the first extending directly in front of the dorsal fin and reaching to the base of the pectoral fin.
The second stripe runs below the center of the dorsal fin and extends to the mid-lateral line of the body; the third runs behind the dorsal fin and extends almost to the ventral side of the caudal peduncle.
The fourth stripe extends to the base of the caudal fin; several paler, indistinct reddish stripes are visible in the spaces between the darker stripes.
Etymology:
The species name “inermis” means “unarmed” and refers to the posterior margin of the suborbital bone, which is finely serrated (sometimes smooth), with a very small spine at the upper corner.
Synonyms:
Heterognathodon doederleini Ishikawa, 1904 · unaccepted
Scolopsides inermis Temminck & Schlegel, 1843 · unaccepted
Scolopsis inermis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843) · unaccepted
The species is generally considered sedentary, but recent sightings in the South and East China Seas somewhat limit this assumption.
It is also interesting to note that the species’ depth range is generally thought to begin at depths of 50 meters; however, photographs taken by Satoshi Yamamoto of Japan contradict this, as he was able to photograph the two species shown here at depths of 13 meters and 18 meters.
A pale yellowish monocle bream, silvery on the underside, with four broad reddish stripes on the back, paler, indistinct reddish stripes in the spaces between them, and a yellowish dorsal fin with numerous red spots.
The false snapper is pale yellowish, with a silvery underside;
four broad, dark reddish stripes run along its back, the first extending directly in front of the dorsal fin and reaching to the base of the pectoral fin.
The second stripe runs below the center of the dorsal fin and extends to the mid-lateral line of the body; the third runs behind the dorsal fin and extends almost to the ventral side of the caudal peduncle.
The fourth stripe extends to the base of the caudal fin; several paler, indistinct reddish stripes are visible in the spaces between the darker stripes.
Etymology:
The species name “inermis” means “unarmed” and refers to the posterior margin of the suborbital bone, which is finely serrated (sometimes smooth), with a very small spine at the upper corner.
Synonyms:
Heterognathodon doederleini Ishikawa, 1904 · unaccepted
Scolopsides inermis Temminck & Schlegel, 1843 · unaccepted
Scolopsis inermis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843) · unaccepted
