inimicus debate

[rayn]

I currently have a inimicus, but after looking and reading F Marinis book I am beginning to question which I have. Either I. didactylus or I. filamentosus. I always thought it was didactylus, but after looking at the pics I am starting to think filamentosus by the eyes and mouth placement.

What are the big differences between the two?

[FMarini]

Simple really, I. filamentosus has extended fin ray filaments on its pectoral fins, they are very visible, and on the 1st and 2nd pec ray-i dont recall if its 1,2 or 2, 3. but they are obvious. Also the flasher pattern on I filamenosus is also different- it has a honeycombed appearance on the outer radius

[rayn]

Well that is what bugs me. I don't see the filaments on the pectoral fins, bu the eyes are fused like your book states and the mouth is upturned as well. The pics in your book of the I. didyactylus look lower and more sunk into the head. As for the flasher pattern I am going to have to look again sometime and hopefully get a pic too.

[FMarini]

a picture of the flasher pattern will solve this quickly.

[namxas]

As Frank mentions, the flash colors are super helpful in ID-ing Inimicus spp..

If the fish has "fused" eyes at the fish's head, it could also be I. japonicus, which is kind of rare, but IME, are super great fish.

[rayn]

I have pictures of its eyes and mouth. I was hoping to get a good pic of the flasher colors tonight and post it all.

[rayn]

I finally got a somewhat pic of the fins, sorry it isn't the best.

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-09-07_21-55-44_932.jpg

His eyes and mouth
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-09-05_08-38-15_596.jpg
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-09-05_08-38-28_55.jpg
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-09-05_08-36-08_859.jpg

[AlexS95]

Very cute. :lmao:

[rayn]

Very cute. :lmao:

I just showed it that post and he stuck up his spines at you :lolspin:

[AlexS95]

I just showed it that post and he stuck up his spines at you :lolspin:

I'm really starting to fall in love with Scorps, especially they ones that bury themselves. I just think it's really cool. Plus, they just look so cool! :bigeyes:

[rayn]

Agreed. They don't do much, but they are still interesting in their own way. Funny how tastes change over time. I've got my reef tank, but then two others for scorps and thinking of making my new build a scorps tank too.

[namxas]

Here's a pic showing I. didactylus' flash colors:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/goblinflareback700.jpg

I was looking to see if we have any of the japonicus, but haven't seen any yet, but here are some pix:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/goblin700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/goblinout700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/goblinfaceshot700.jpg

[rayn]

Now I'm more confused! It may not mean much, but look at the colors of the fish itself. I. Didactylus is bright read and white. Even in Franks book they are colored. Now I. japonicus is that dull grey bottom color. That is what mine is. Also that third pic could be mine, very similar faces.

I'm going to go back and see if I have better pics to compare as it it buried right now.

[FMarini]

colors mean little except localle. The editors wanted brightly colored fish- it sells more books. Renee brightly colored Inimicus are pretty uncommon, the dull greyish animals are more common. It appears from what little i can see from your image- its either japonicus or I didacytlus, but w/out a full flash -its only a guess

[rayn]

Does I. didactylus have the tassels under its chin?

Color doesn't prove anything I know, but just a generalization.

[rayn]

Got some new pics tonight that I hope help

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-09-10_18-31-21_9.jpg
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-09-10_18-31-51_777.jpg
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-09-10_18-32-31_143.jpg
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-09-10_18-33-14_439.jpg
these are older, but I hope they help
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-07-22_10-16-10_112.jpg
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-07-22_10-15-48_367.jpg
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/2011-07-22_10-14-00_905.jpg

[jarrod13]

Looks like didactylus to me

[rayn]

Looks like didactylus to me

Can I ask why you say that?

[namxas]

Here's a pic (courtesy of Frank) that shows typical color patterns for three Inimicus spp.:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Greg/InimicusFlashColors.jpg

You can see that I. sinensis lacks the top-to-bottom crescent-shaped markings. Your fish appears to have an incomplete white crescent, but does share some similarities with didcatylus. I believe that's what Jarrod is seeing, and so far, it's the closest fit.

I actually had occasion to get a good peek at our japonicus the other PM, and from what I remember, it's not close to your fish (I'll see if I can get another peek if it grabs the monofilament on the stick again and I can turn the fish around before it releases it.

[rayn]

Is it the presents or the colors that make the difference? I see the inner crescent matches with the black and white spots, then the middle white crescent that isn't complete. But the outer crescent is black with white spots as well, not the orange or yellow.

Nothing against harris, I was just wondering what he saw to say that. The closest possible id I can get is what I'm after. Specially with these scorps, it would be nice to know what your dealing with.

[jarrod13]

Spell check buddy... I'm assuming you meant crescents instead of presents and jarrod instead of Harris... just giving ya a hard time ;-)

The whitish crescent is what makes me think didactylus, also the white spots scattered throughout

[FMarini]

again- color means little except locale. I would focus on the shapes, positions and markings.
from the abbreviated peek we have- the white crescent over a dark area. Above this, another non crescent of dark.
closet i can recall is i didacytlus

[rayn]

My droid is a wonderful thing, but the spell check oooooooooo! Yes is was suppose to be jarrod not harris.

Frank I thought you meant specimen color not marking of the flashers. I was under the impression that those flasher colors meant just as much as the shapes and markings in them. If it is a didactylus then that is cool and fine with me.