Sarah, Paul Humann's book of Caribbean Reef Fish isn't showing these fish you posted... where did you encounter them?

I couldn't find 'em either, but I thought it was me.

Hi Niki

I have so many pictures taken from our trips to the Island and various other parts of the world. Since the launch of my site, many people have sent me various shots from Bonaire. It would be difficult for me to trace who sent me this one, as it was received some time ago.. I'm assuming that the above was taken from the Island, sure wouldn't want to disappoint anyone, as I have this shot on my site!!

Sarah, enjoying a day off...

Allen & Steene's Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field
Guide shows them on page 281 as Coral Cardinalfish,
Sphaeramia nematoptera, just to be precise. Like so
many Indo-Pacific fish, they just don't look real. More
like a ceramicist's nightmare.

Thanks for the information Glen, I will have to get myself a copy of the Guide. Do you know where it can be purchased on-line? Still think I'll keep the shot on my site (seeming as it's so nice)!!!

Perhaps this is the species?

There are around 200 species of this fish with most living in shallow reef areas. One species, the Astrapogon stellatus, that is found in the Caribbean has been known when threatened by a predator to take cover inside conch shells that are still inhabited by their owners.

Amazon USA shows it, new, for US$40, 'usually
shipping in 24 hours'. Amazon UK shows it for £40 (yes,
I checked it--£), currently unavailable.

Not sure what you meant by "Perhaps this is the
species?"

Stokes says the Conchfish (A. stellatus) lives under the
shell, in the mantle of the conch, being found there by
fishermen who pull the conch out of the water.

Hi Glen

Thanks for the info... this is the species that was mentioned in my earlier research:

The Astrapogon stellatus(found in the Caribbean) - one of approx 200 species of cardinal fish. Hopes that's a little clearer?

I think the name of the cardinal fish should be Astropagon alutus. There would have to be 200 species of this fish!!! Anyway, I guess my initial concern was that the cardinal fish in the above posted picture were not found in Caribbean waters.... but as their so nice, I'll keep it on my site anyway!

Sounds good to me.

Sarah, you could keep it on your site since it is indeed lovely, but I wouldn't leave the impression it was photographed at Bonaire. Just my opinion... :-)

Thanks.. I plan to get more of MY OWN shots from the Island this year as part of my research. I'll play around with it a little more then.

In the interim, the counter keeps going up:-)

THE FISH IN QUESTION ARE DEF NOT IN BONAIRE WATERS...PACIFIC..SAW SOME IN SIPADAN, MUCK DIVING OFF MABUL....FISH ARE MORE COLORFUL AND EXOTIC IN PACIFIC, BUT SO IS THE COST TO GET THERE FOR ME...THATS WHY WE LOVE BONAIRE....SAW A NEW FISH FOR MY LOG BOOK THIS YEAR IN BONAIRE @ VISTA BLUE DIVE SITE..A FLYING GUANARD..KNOW THEY ARE COMMON IN FLORIDA, BUT WE WERE EXCITED TO FINALLY SEE ONE...ALSO FOUND A SMALL REEF SCORPION, NOT THE REG SIZE GUY BUT ONLY INCHES LONG...THE FISH ID BOOKS ARE WORTH THE INVESTMENT..HERES ONE OF OUR SHOTS W/MX 10 CAMERA..TRUNK FISH. .ENJOY.....DIVER DEBBI

Sarah, I just looked at your website for the first time -- really enjoyed, and look forward to more additions. I grew up in London, and visited Kew Gardens as a child. As an avid gardener now, it's my goal to get back there....

My family still live in England, my sister in Larkfield, near Maidstone, and one brother in Bromley (how they have both changed over the last 10 years!), and the other brother in West Kingsdown, Kent. The Kentish countryside is lovely!!! As children growing up in the London docklands (when there were actually still docks!), we went hop picking there each summer. That's a piece of history now!!

I'm looking for a cheap fare to get over there again. I generally manage a trip every year or so, but my trips to Bonaire are cutting into the travel budget!

OKAY...I READ THE DIRECTIONS...PUT THE BACK SLASH..THEN WHAT ???DON'T WANNA ASK MY HUSBAND FOR DIRECTIONS..ANY HINTS GIRLS ? HAVE A REALLY GREAT PHOTO ON DESKTOP WE TOOK IN BONIARE....THANKS FOR THE HELP DIVER DEBBI

Debbi, I'll help you if you turn off the CAPS LOCK key! :-) No need to shout in here. You'll wake up the kids! :-)

You type:

\image{description}

(using curly brackets) and then preview the message, then post the message after the preview, and then browse for the picture file, and finally hit upload.

See if that does it.

Hi Josie

Thanks for your kind comments.

I can understand your wanting to return to England. Especially as you are an avid gardener!! It certainly is a beautiful country in many ways.. On the other hand, I can also understand not wanting to give up a trip to Bonaire. I have travelled to different Islands in the Caribbean, but there's something about Bonaire that keeps bringing me back.. I wonder what!!! Anyway, I'm off now for a few days. All the best to you.. Sarah ..still waiting for the heat wave!!!

Thanks for your help Niki..I think I've got by golly ! So...all caps means your screaming ??? Shows you how much I know ..I'll get there.

The fish in question are also found in Robert F. Myers book - Micronesian Reef Fishes. Same scientific name but he calls it a Pajama Cardinalfish. He describes it as a spectacular and a popular aquariam export from the Philippines. Range: Java to New Guinea, n. to the Ryukyus; Belau to Pohnpei in Micronesia.
Joyce