Kai The Fish Guy
@kaithefishguy.bsky.social
Dr Yi-Kai Tea | Ichthyology Curator, The Australian Museum Research Institute
| Systematic ichthyology | Wildlife photographer | 🏳️🌈he/him
| Systematic ichthyology | Wildlife photographer | 🏳️🌈he/him
Pseudojuloides edwardi
Quite possibly the most beautiful wrasse in existence
Quite possibly the most beautiful wrasse in existence
June 1, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Pseudojuloides edwardi
Quite possibly the most beautiful wrasse in existence
Quite possibly the most beautiful wrasse in existence
Black background fish photography are MY NACHOS.
March 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Black background fish photography are MY NACHOS.
Blimey! Now THIS is a great goby!
Oxymetopon cyanoctenosum, the Blue-banded Ribbongoby.
Oxymetopon cyanoctenosum, the Blue-banded Ribbongoby.
March 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Blimey! Now THIS is a great goby!
Oxymetopon cyanoctenosum, the Blue-banded Ribbongoby.
Oxymetopon cyanoctenosum, the Blue-banded Ribbongoby.
Yes I use all my annual leave every year to risk it all for pictures of literal INSECTS.
And I love it!
And I love it!
March 21, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Yes I use all my annual leave every year to risk it all for pictures of literal INSECTS.
And I love it!
And I love it!
Trogonoptera brookiana, Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing.
Malaysia’s national butterfly is quite a thing of beauty. Its black wings with emerald green feather-like markings, bright red head, and blue wing accents isn’t even its most remarkable feature. It’s probably the fact that it measures close to 15 cm
Malaysia’s national butterfly is quite a thing of beauty. Its black wings with emerald green feather-like markings, bright red head, and blue wing accents isn’t even its most remarkable feature. It’s probably the fact that it measures close to 15 cm
February 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Trogonoptera brookiana, Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing.
Malaysia’s national butterfly is quite a thing of beauty. Its black wings with emerald green feather-like markings, bright red head, and blue wing accents isn’t even its most remarkable feature. It’s probably the fact that it measures close to 15 cm
Malaysia’s national butterfly is quite a thing of beauty. Its black wings with emerald green feather-like markings, bright red head, and blue wing accents isn’t even its most remarkable feature. It’s probably the fact that it measures close to 15 cm
Nemo found: dead in a ditch
February 12, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Nemo found: dead in a ditch
Gonna deep fry the holotype of NEMO
February 12, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Gonna deep fry the holotype of NEMO
Im posting dome dank sci comm memes on my insta story!
Available only for 24 hours. Go there and see!!
Available only for 24 hours. Go there and see!!
February 10, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Im posting dome dank sci comm memes on my insta story!
Available only for 24 hours. Go there and see!!
Available only for 24 hours. Go there and see!!
The two specimens I have on loan here, including one paratype, are invaluable pieces of natural history.
January 15, 2025 at 2:06 AM
The two specimens I have on loan here, including one paratype, are invaluable pieces of natural history.
This is one of the most exciting loans I’ve ever unpacked. There are only seven specimens of Prognathodes guyotensis known from collections worldwide; three specimens in the type series, all from the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, and a further four from scattered localities across the Indo-Pacific.
January 15, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This is one of the most exciting loans I’ve ever unpacked. There are only seven specimens of Prognathodes guyotensis known from collections worldwide; three specimens in the type series, all from the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, and a further four from scattered localities across the Indo-Pacific.
Last weekend I was fortunate to encounter two female Yellow Jewel butterflies (Hypochrysops byzos) along a creek line about 45 minutes from Canberra.
This is a very elusive and one of the more difficult of the Australian Jewels to find, so finding bro one but two was an extra special treat.
This is a very elusive and one of the more difficult of the Australian Jewels to find, so finding bro one but two was an extra special treat.
January 15, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Last weekend I was fortunate to encounter two female Yellow Jewel butterflies (Hypochrysops byzos) along a creek line about 45 minutes from Canberra.
This is a very elusive and one of the more difficult of the Australian Jewels to find, so finding bro one but two was an extra special treat.
This is a very elusive and one of the more difficult of the Australian Jewels to find, so finding bro one but two was an extra special treat.
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis!
January 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis!
Watching The Boys and there’s a fish I named in one of the scenes!
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue-throat Fairy Wrasse. I described this species in 2018!
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue-throat Fairy Wrasse. I described this species in 2018!
January 9, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Watching The Boys and there’s a fish I named in one of the scenes!
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue-throat Fairy Wrasse. I described this species in 2018!
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue-throat Fairy Wrasse. I described this species in 2018!
October 2021 > January 2025
January 4, 2025 at 1:33 AM
October 2021 > January 2025
Merry Christmas Wrasses!
Clockwise from top left: Halichoeres cosmetus; H. ornatissimus; H. melanurus; H. claudia
Clockwise from top left: Halichoeres cosmetus; H. ornatissimus; H. melanurus; H. claudia
December 24, 2024 at 11:54 PM
Merry Christmas Wrasses!
Clockwise from top left: Halichoeres cosmetus; H. ornatissimus; H. melanurus; H. claudia
Clockwise from top left: Halichoeres cosmetus; H. ornatissimus; H. melanurus; H. claudia
Hypochrysops delicia, the Moonlight Jewel
I’ve spent many unsuccessful summers over the last few years trying to find this species around the Sydney area. Turns out they’re around, but only at the top of the tallest peaks, in the furthest corner of the Blue Mountains, and only appear after 4 pm.
I’ve spent many unsuccessful summers over the last few years trying to find this species around the Sydney area. Turns out they’re around, but only at the top of the tallest peaks, in the furthest corner of the Blue Mountains, and only appear after 4 pm.
December 21, 2024 at 1:22 PM
Hypochrysops delicia, the Moonlight Jewel
I’ve spent many unsuccessful summers over the last few years trying to find this species around the Sydney area. Turns out they’re around, but only at the top of the tallest peaks, in the furthest corner of the Blue Mountains, and only appear after 4 pm.
I’ve spent many unsuccessful summers over the last few years trying to find this species around the Sydney area. Turns out they’re around, but only at the top of the tallest peaks, in the furthest corner of the Blue Mountains, and only appear after 4 pm.
Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus, the Monsoon Fairy Wrasse
Two in two days! I’m feeling generous. Ok I’m gonna speed run this one.
Hygro = wet
Xeros = dry
Wet + dry = monsoon = weather profile of Darwin = type location of this species
Two in two days! I’m feeling generous. Ok I’m gonna speed run this one.
Hygro = wet
Xeros = dry
Wet + dry = monsoon = weather profile of Darwin = type location of this species
December 20, 2024 at 7:44 AM
Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus, the Monsoon Fairy Wrasse
Two in two days! I’m feeling generous. Ok I’m gonna speed run this one.
Hygro = wet
Xeros = dry
Wet + dry = monsoon = weather profile of Darwin = type location of this species
Two in two days! I’m feeling generous. Ok I’m gonna speed run this one.
Hygro = wet
Xeros = dry
Wet + dry = monsoon = weather profile of Darwin = type location of this species
Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus, the “Deepwater Wrasse”
This is a really beautiful species native to northeast Australia, New Caledonia, and southern Vanuatu. It belongs to a small lineage of very distinctive fairy wrasses with only two other species.
This is a really beautiful species native to northeast Australia, New Caledonia, and southern Vanuatu. It belongs to a small lineage of very distinctive fairy wrasses with only two other species.
December 19, 2024 at 12:13 PM
Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus, the “Deepwater Wrasse”
This is a really beautiful species native to northeast Australia, New Caledonia, and southern Vanuatu. It belongs to a small lineage of very distinctive fairy wrasses with only two other species.
This is a really beautiful species native to northeast Australia, New Caledonia, and southern Vanuatu. It belongs to a small lineage of very distinctive fairy wrasses with only two other species.
How’s this for a STUNNER!
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue-throat Fairy Wrasse! I described this species in 2018. One of the most beautiful fairy wrasses. This one is native to only a small part of the Coral Triangle, namely southern Philippines and northeast Borneo.
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue-throat Fairy Wrasse! I described this species in 2018. One of the most beautiful fairy wrasses. This one is native to only a small part of the Coral Triangle, namely southern Philippines and northeast Borneo.
December 14, 2024 at 1:11 AM
How’s this for a STUNNER!
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue-throat Fairy Wrasse! I described this species in 2018. One of the most beautiful fairy wrasses. This one is native to only a small part of the Coral Triangle, namely southern Philippines and northeast Borneo.
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue-throat Fairy Wrasse! I described this species in 2018. One of the most beautiful fairy wrasses. This one is native to only a small part of the Coral Triangle, namely southern Philippines and northeast Borneo.
The second is Pseudojuloides proserpina, endemic to Fatu Hiva, Marquesas, and is known only from the male holotype. The female is not known. The name is given after the goddess of the underworld, in reference to both its close relationship to P. pluto, as well as its haunting colouration.
December 1, 2024 at 9:43 AM
The second is Pseudojuloides proserpina, endemic to Fatu Hiva, Marquesas, and is known only from the male holotype. The female is not known. The name is given after the goddess of the underworld, in reference to both its close relationship to P. pluto, as well as its haunting colouration.
Today’s #EtymologyEpithet is a double whammy! The first is Pseudojuloides Pluto from Ogasawara, Wake Atoll, and the Mariana Archipelago.
The specific epithet is given after Pluto, god of the underworld, in reference to the sinister coloration of the males.
The specific epithet is given after Pluto, god of the underworld, in reference to the sinister coloration of the males.
December 1, 2024 at 9:43 AM
Today’s #EtymologyEpithet is a double whammy! The first is Pseudojuloides Pluto from Ogasawara, Wake Atoll, and the Mariana Archipelago.
The specific epithet is given after Pluto, god of the underworld, in reference to the sinister coloration of the males.
The specific epithet is given after Pluto, god of the underworld, in reference to the sinister coloration of the males.
Ok I’m gonna need you all to repost today’s #EtymologyEpithet far and wide because this is one of my fav fishes I’ve ever described.
November 30, 2024 at 2:26 AM
Ok I’m gonna need you all to repost today’s #EtymologyEpithet far and wide because this is one of my fav fishes I’ve ever described.
Christmas is around the corner and for years I’ve advocated that THIS fish should be the official FISHMAS mascot. The Peppermint Angelfish, Paracentropyge boylei, is a deep water coral reef species endemic to French Polynesia. Does it not look like a peppermint candy cane? #TeamFish
November 29, 2024 at 11:16 PM
Christmas is around the corner and for years I’ve advocated that THIS fish should be the official FISHMAS mascot. The Peppermint Angelfish, Paracentropyge boylei, is a deep water coral reef species endemic to French Polynesia. Does it not look like a peppermint candy cane? #TeamFish
It’s been a crazy couple of hours on BlueSky! I’ve felt more invigorated on here than I’ve ever been in the last two years on Twitter. I’m so glad I made the change.
Enjoy this gorgeous Pomacanthus navarchus, the Majestic Angelfish. I photographed this on my recent trip to Raja Ampat.
Enjoy this gorgeous Pomacanthus navarchus, the Majestic Angelfish. I photographed this on my recent trip to Raja Ampat.
November 29, 2024 at 1:14 PM
It’s been a crazy couple of hours on BlueSky! I’ve felt more invigorated on here than I’ve ever been in the last two years on Twitter. I’m so glad I made the change.
Enjoy this gorgeous Pomacanthus navarchus, the Majestic Angelfish. I photographed this on my recent trip to Raja Ampat.
Enjoy this gorgeous Pomacanthus navarchus, the Majestic Angelfish. I photographed this on my recent trip to Raja Ampat.
This beautiful fish is Synchiropus sycorax, the Ruby Dragonet. This was the second species I described, and it’s endemic to the Sulu Archipelago in Philippines.
I gave it the name Sycorax after the Sycorax warriors from the BBC Sci-Fi series Dr Who, after the big red capes and white skeletal masks
I gave it the name Sycorax after the Sycorax warriors from the BBC Sci-Fi series Dr Who, after the big red capes and white skeletal masks
November 29, 2024 at 8:13 AM
This beautiful fish is Synchiropus sycorax, the Ruby Dragonet. This was the second species I described, and it’s endemic to the Sulu Archipelago in Philippines.
I gave it the name Sycorax after the Sycorax warriors from the BBC Sci-Fi series Dr Who, after the big red capes and white skeletal masks
I gave it the name Sycorax after the Sycorax warriors from the BBC Sci-Fi series Dr Who, after the big red capes and white skeletal masks