Fish ID - colourful cod?!?!

[Owen]

This little fella attacked a three ganged garfish longer than he was.
I've never seen a cod this colour.
Assuming it is indeed a cod, what species is it?

Photo taken on mobile phone, so this is as good as I've got.

[Outsider1]

It is a Harlequin Smiler or Jawfish, Opistognathus eximius

http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/oeximius.htm

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?p=827102

Cheers

Dave

[squizzytaylor]

What a top looking fish!

Geoff

[blackjack]

What a knock out fish! At first I thought it was a trick of photography, until I saw Outsider's photo.

Impressive. Dare I say it would make for an amazing aquarium specimen? But I don't think the fish would see it that way. ;)

Blackjenny

[BtotheM]

Great looking fish

[smoked]

great fish!

[Gold_Coast_Chaser]

Hey Mate, ;D

Thats an Amazing looking Fish, I agree it would stand out in an Aquarium.

Cheers :)

[crabberman77]

wow, different!!!!!

[Owen]

Thanks Dave,
He was a colourful little bugger.
He would look great in an aquarium, but given the gob full of teeth he had I dunno about hand feeding!