I want to rename this wrasse: the galaxy wrasse!

[Miami Reef]

I really have a thing for what things are called, don't I?

Not Coris wrasse! This is becoming my biggest pet peeve...

This is Halichoeres chrysus. A small, reef safe, and very peaceful wrasse known for being beautiful, eating pests, and as a good community member. Credit @JoJosReef This is Halichoeres chloropterus. A larger and more aggressive wrasse but still fairly reef safe and good for bigger tanks and...

www.reef2reef.com

Worst named things in the hobby?

Lets start a fun conversation about the worst named things in the hobby. Could be fish, inverts, corals or equipment. What things have the most ironic names. My favorite is the foxface: This is a foxface: This is a fox's face: This is a badger's face:

www.reef2reef.com

Ignorance, laziness, or just a bigger issue with terrible naming?

This made me laugh today @i cant think @ISpeakForTheSeas @lion king @EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal maybe this will make you laugh too. Looks like a certain well known marine retail store has restored its online page and come up with this. Underneath batfish you will see what appears to be Ogcocephalus...

www.reef2reef.com

Oh wow. Have you always been into naming/identifying as a kid?

 

[Slocke]

Oh wow. Have you always been into naming/identifying as a kid?

Hmmm... I think it's just my sense of humor. I'm very much into wordplay and thus concentrate a lot more on meaning of certain words. I'm the sort of person you shouldn't swear around because I will translate it into its literal meaning and toss it back at you.

 

[Miami Reef]

I'm the sort of person you shouldn't swear around because I will translate it into its literal meaning and toss it back at you.

I’m going to need an example, but preferably in pm.

That’s pretty funny.

 

[Mschmidt]

So both these dudes are credited with its discovery.

But I for one am fine dethroning Mr Neck beard.

But really Gaimard, Coris gamard gaimard!?

 

[Slocke]

So both these dudes are credited with its discovery.

But I for one am fine dethroning Mr Neck beard.

But really Gaimard, Coris gamard gaimard!?

Gaimard is an intriguing looking person… looks like someone badly photoshopped a face onto the head.

Yes it should be “gaimardi” and I believe there is something about scientific names must follow proper naming conventions. Thus “gaimard” should be void and “Coris galaxea” should be the new name.

I mean at least they got it right with the “quoyi” parrotfish I guess

 

[Mschmidt]

Gaimard is an intriguing looking person… looks like someone badly photoshopped a face onto the head.

Yes it should be “gaimardi” and I believe there is something about scientific names must follow proper naming conventions. Thus “gaimard” should be void and “Coris galaxea” should be the new name.

I mean at least they got it right with the “quoyi” parrotfish I guess

Yes it does look like he's wearing a mask of someone else's face. But Quoy seems to be forever smelling a fart. Poor fella

 

[Rocky Mountain Reef]

This is my Coris gaimard, or that’s the boring scientific name presumably named after some self-important scientist. Its common name in the hobby is the red coris wrasse, though outside of the hobby, it is often called the African or yellowtail coris wrasse.

Here is my old juvenile:

Here is another photo of my female:

Finally, here is a photo of a male from Google:

I have issues with all of those common names.

Red Coris wrasse
So what’s the problem? Unlike the yellow and the green “coris” wrasse. This wrasse is, in fact, a Coris wrasse. So it’s good right?

Well is that fish red? No. It’s orange Definitely orange. And I don’t think “orange Coris wrasse” rolls off the tongue. Also boring.

African Coris Wrasse
This is the range of Coris gaimard:

Can you spot the problem? There are many Coris wrasse in African waters. This is not one.

Yellowtail Coris wrasse
OK, this one does have a yellowtail once it becomes an adult, and for my galaxy wrasse argument to work, I can’t argue with that. But… a yellowtail is a common feature. In fact, there is at least one other Coris wrasse with a yellowtail. May I present Coris picta:

How about a fun, creative name that actually mentions its most striking and unique feature? May I be so bold?

I love that idea....it's one of my favorite fish of all time. I've had several and need to get another soon. Love the adult coloration.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Beautiful fish!!

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Now I want one...

 

[alpenreef]

This is my Coris gaimard, or that’s the boring scientific name presumably named after some self-important scientist. Its common name in the hobby is the red coris wrasse, though outside of the hobby, it is often called the African or yellowtail coris wrasse.

Here is my old juvenile:

Here is another photo of my female:

Finally, here is a photo of a male from Google:

I have issues with all of those common names.

Red Coris wrasse
So what’s the problem? Unlike the yellow and the green “coris” wrasse. This wrasse is, in fact, a Coris wrasse. So it’s good right?

Well is that fish red? No. It’s orange Definitely orange. And I don’t think “orange Coris wrasse” rolls off the tongue. Also boring.

African Coris Wrasse
This is the range of Coris gaimard:

Can you spot the problem? There are many Coris wrasse in African waters. This is not one.

Yellowtail Coris wrasse
OK, this one does have a yellowtail once it becomes an adult, and for my galaxy wrasse argument to work, I can’t argue with that. But… a yellowtail is a common feature. In fact, there is at least one other Coris wrasse with a yellowtail. May I present Coris picta:

How about a fun, creative name that actually mentions its most striking and unique feature? May I be so bold?

Referring to Joseph Paul Gaimard as "self-important" overlooks his significant contributions to marine biology and natural history, which have been valuable to scientific understanding. The naming of species after scientists like Gaimard honors their dedication and achievements in their fields.

 

[Slocke]

Referring to Joseph Paul Gaimard as "self-important" overlooks his significant contributions to marine biology and natural history, which have been valuable to scientific understanding. The naming of species after scientists like Gaimard honors their dedication and achievements in their fields.

im just joking.


I have no idea who Gaimard is though I would say I believe it should be Coris Gaimardi to adhere to naming conventions.

 

[Goaway]

Oi...
imma be nice ... not At you @Slocke

But directly at you
Females really have the galaxy texture.

Too bad I can't talk them out of dining on shrimp.

 

[Slocke]

My goal has been achieved!