We have here a few images documenting what appears to be aPictichromis diademawith an unusual magenta coloration.
WhereasP. diademahas a patch of magenta solely on the topside of it’s head and anterior part of the body and dorsal fin, this specimen has magenta all over it’s face, with the purple extending down the body and even on the underside. Interestingly, thisPictichromishas essentially the inverse coloration ofPictichromis caitlinae, a rare dottyback from Western New Guinea.
This is not the first time that a diadema dottyback has turned up with an unusual coloration. Dr. Hiroyuki Tanaka photographed a specimen from Malaysia with a heavy purple saddle on it’s body which shows the same outline-irregularity between the yellow and magenta as this dottyback from the Philippines. Big thanks to Junkai for sharing these original pictures with us.
