Amazing Transformations, Pacific Islands

Many fish undergo startling changes as they transition from their juvenile phase to the adult. After the Caribbean version of Amazing Transformations, we now present part 1 of the Pacific Islands Amazing Transformations.
We begin with the Koran Angelfish. The Juvenile displays the striking blue, white, and black semicircular stripes and colors that eventually fade into the adult color pattern with the intense blue markings remaining on the head, fins, and tail.
The next fish is the twinspot wrasse. The juvenile is very colorful with it's bright orange double saddles on it's back and the two very obvious false eye spots above the orange. The face is a blizzard of black spots that conceal the actual eyes so predators strike at the false eyes and allow the fish to escape. This fish transitions from a 2 inch fish to a 4 foot long adult with several color changes along the way.
The last fish is the remarkable Oriental Sweetlips. This is the one transitioning fish that always mystifies me. I have a hard time believing that the juvenile, and the adult are the same species.
The videos to make this production were shot in Fiji, Bali, and Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands.
First song credit : Samudra Visions
Video Gary and Fran Nesmith

[@Alex_Correa]

Even the people who know well about those transformations should have a great time watching this video! Thanks for sharing!

[@nezmoproductions]

We enjoyed being able to see the various forms of these fish for ourselves as we had often only seen the juvenile or young adults in marine aquariums. It was great seeing all the stages swimming around at the same time. Thanks for your comment!

[@mariashaffer-gordon3561]

Fantastic video! In the Pacific, I've only been to Hawaii, so all of these fish were new to me. I couldn't help thinking that a leopard doesn't change its spots, but apparently a sweetlips does.

[@nezmoproductions]

Travelling to these islands is pretty much impossible right now, we missed out on a trip to Rarotonga when the outbreak started. If you ever get the chance, as a fellow fish nerd, our favorite place was Mantaray Island in Fiji. They have a fabulous house reef which is a protected site, and if you go at the right time, you might be able to swim with Manta rays which is as thrilling as it sounds. Check out our Mantaray Island videos, the end of the first one shows our time with a huge Manta. There are also some beautiful corals in great condition. The coral video was also shot there. The sweetlips transformation is quite remarkable. I shot them in Fiji, and some of the transformation ones in Bali. Just happened to be there at the right time to see them. The twinspot wrasse is also quite impressive the juvis are only 2 inches, but the huge male at the end was about 5 feet. I was fascinated with his comb like tail.

[@mariashaffer-gordon3561]

I've been trying to talk my husband into going to Fiji. I wonder if Fiji experienced reef damage as a result of the volcano erupting in Tonga since they're relatively close. I would love to swim with mantas. The only time I've seen them was a night snorkel off the Big Island of Hawaii. The twinspot wrasse was my favorite transformation, too. I had no idea that they got so big.

[@mariashaffer-gordon3561]

@@nezmoproductions My fish ID book says that the terminal phase clown coris/twospot wrasse (coris aygula) only reaches 2 feet

[@nezmoproductions]

@@mariashaffer-gordon3561 I would think that a tidal wave would be most destructive to land than undersea. I know a hurricane can mess up a reef though. At Mantaray Island during the right season the Mantas come in to feed in a channel right next to the resort. They take you out to them and drop you right above them and you drift down through as they are coming up against the current to feed on the abundant plankton during that season.

[@mariashaffer-gordon3561]

The twospot wrasse is also known as a clown coris. Coris is a large genus in the wrasse family.

[@Bonaire__bubble..fin17]

I like the twinspot wrasse transform juvenile to adult

[@soorajrv]

What is the other fish at 3:20 to 3:22

[@nezmoproductions]

I believe it is a Pomacentrus vaiuli, or princess damsel. There are many very colorful damsels that are spectacular as juveniles, but become drab and dark colored as adults. They also become very aggressive as they defend their territory. I've seen adults damsels attack a full grown turtle and move it away from it's territory.

[@soorajrv]

@@nezmoproductions oh Thank you

[@karthikn7325]

6:44 I thought ich comes only to fishes in aquarium

[@nezmoproductions]

I assume you are referring to the wrasse flashing on the bottom as he is swimming along. The fish you are referring to is about 3 feet long at this stage, and as you can see in the video, these wrasses like to dig in the sand to find their favorite food. They often do this after searching in the sand to remove particles of sand stuck in their gills, and around their head. I have observed this flashing in many fishes in the ocean, particularly those who are constantly digging in the sand, It is quite common. There could be some ick present, but with the abundance of cleaner fish and shrimp to remove parasites, it does not seem to be a problem. In an aquarium it is a likely sign there could be ick because of the closed environment and heavy concentration of ick in the water. This is why a whole tank can be wiped out very quickly. I see very few signs of disease in the ocean reef fish I have encountered. I think it has more to do with the overall health of the fish, and their immune response. Most fish problems I see are from attacks and are more flesh wounds from escaping being eaten.

[@karthikn7325]

@@nezmoproductions Thanl you so much for your kind explanation. Now I get the answer.🙂

[@nezmoproductions]

@@karthikn7325 My pleasure!