Marine World

Dwarf Squirrelfish

2012-01-30T16:38:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Sargocentron iota
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 8cm
Identification: Red without distinctive markings; tail lobes rounded, scales with serrated edges.
Favourite: Solitary and cryptic; lurk in caves and recesses.
Hide-out: Steep outer reef slopes to 34m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - Christmas I. to Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji and Hawaii.

Crown Squirrelfish

2012-01-19T16:34:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Sargocentron diadema
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 17cm
Identification: Alternating red and white stripes; dark red to black spiny dorsal fin with white spine tips and white streak through middle.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Tidal flats and deeper areas of lagoon and seaward reefs to 40m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red sea and E. Africa to Hawaii and Pitcaim I. east of French Polynesia. S.W. Japan to Australia.

Gold-Lined Squirrelfish

2012-01-08T16:31:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Neoniphon aurolineatus
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 25cm
Identification: Silvery white to pinkish with yellow stripes between scale rows; yellow pectoral fin base, red bar across nape and gill cover.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Steep outer reef slopes in 30-160m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Comoro Is. to Hawaii. S.W. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Yellowfin Soldierfish

2011-11-19T12:58:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Myripristis chryseres
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 25cm
Identification: Red with darkish scale margins; all fins (except pectorals) bright yellow, dark brown rear margin on gill cover.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups.
Hide-out: Seaward reef slopes in 30-200m, rarely to 12m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - E.Africa to Hawaii and Samoa, S.W.Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Epaulette Soldierfish

2011-11-11T12:55:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Myripristis kuntee
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: Orange-red with pearly scale centers; scales small compared with other soldierfishes, red fins with narrow white margins, dusky brown band along rear gill cover.
Favourite: Form loose groups.
Hide-out: Coastal, lagoon and outer reefs in 2-35m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Seychelles to Hawaii and French Polynesia. S.W.Japan to Australia.

East Indian Soldierfish

2011-11-02T12:52:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Myripristis trachyacron
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 15cm
Identification: Shades of red; reddish fins with narrow white margins, blackish tips on rear lobes of dorsal, anal and tail fins, only slight dusky margin on gill cover.
Hide-out: Outer reef slopes in 3-50m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Is.

Earle's Soldierfish

2011-10-24T12:49:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Myripristis earlei
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 30cm
Identification: Yellow dorsal fin; red margins on whitish body scales, dark margin on rear gill cover.
Favourite: Usually in groups that shelter in caves and under ledges during day.
Hide-out: Seaward reef slopes in 10-20m.
Location: Central Pacific - Phoenix Is. in Central Pacific and Marquesas Is. in French Polynesia.

Double-Tooth Soldierfish

2011-10-16T12:46:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Myripristis hexagona
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: Red with broad pink scale margins, pale reddish fins have no white margins; broad dark red band on rear margin of gill cover.
Hide-out: Coastal reefs and seaward slopes, often in turbid area in 3-40m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - E.Africa to Samoa. Philippines to Australia and New Caledonia.

Roughscale Soldierfish

2011-10-07T12:38:00.003+08:00

Scientific Name: Plectrypops lima
Family: Squirrelfishes - Holocentridae
Maximum Size: 16cm
Identification: Bright red with clearish to reddish fins; small scales compared to other soldierfishes; no dark margin on rear gill cover or white margin on fins.
Favourite: Solitary; hide in deep recesses.
Hide-out: Outer reef slopes in 5-40m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E.Africa to Hawaii and Easter I. in southeastern Pacific. S.Japan to E.Australia.

Redlip Cleaner Wrasse

2011-04-29T16:04:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Labroides rubrolabiatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 9cm
Identification: Variable from yellow to white head and brown body, black tail with blue borders; dark stripe from snout onto body and narrower stripe from head to dorsal fin base.
Favourite: Solitary cleaner; swim with jerky motion to attract clients.
Hide-out: Coral reefs in 2-25m.
Location: Central Pacific - Fiji to Line Is. and Ducie I. east of French Polynesia.

Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse

2011-04-22T16:01:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Labroides dimidiatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 11.5cm
Identification: White to yellowish head and forebody becomes bluish toward tail; stripe from snout becomes progressively wider toward tail.
Favourite: Solitary or in pairs; establish cleaning stations, swim with jerky motion to attract clients.
Hide-out: Coral reefs in 2-40m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E.Africa to Ducie I. east of French Polynesia. S.Japan to Australia.

Blackspot Cleaner Wrasse

2011-04-13T15:56:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Labroides pectoralis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 8cm
Identification: Yellow head and back, white belly; dark stripe from snout becomes progressively wider toward tail, black spot below pectoral fin.
Favourite: Solitary cleaner; swim with jerky motion to attract clients.
Hide-out: Coral reefs in 2-28m.
Location: East Indo-Pacific - Cocos-Keeling to Line Is. and Pitcairn Is. east of French Polynesia. Bonin Is. in S.Japan to Australia.

Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse

2011-04-06T15:34:00.002+08:00

Scientific Name: Labroides bicolor
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 14cm
Identification: Slender; blue lips gradating to black forebody, pale yellow to white rear body and tail; blue crescent on tail.
Favourite: Solitary or in pairs; cleaner, swim with jerky motion to attract clients.
Hide-out: Coral reefs in 2-25m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E.Africa to Micronesia, Line Is. and French Polynesia. S.Japan to east Australia and L.Howe I.

Wedge-Tailed Wrasse

2010-10-11T12:54:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Labropsis xanthonota
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 14cm
Identification: TP - Bluish gray to brown with yellow spot on each scale; blue markings on head, yellow edge on gill cover, white triangular marking centered on tail.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of clear lagoons to seaward reefs in 7-55m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - E. Africa to Samoa. S.W. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Southern Tubelip

2010-10-05T13:37:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Labropsis australis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10.5cm
Identification: Dark gray head and tail. golden-brown to orange body; pale fleshy lips, black spot on pectoral fin base.
Favourite: Solitary or occasionally in pairs.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of lagoons, outer reefs and passes in 2-55m.
Location: West Pacific - Great Barrier Reef and Solomon Is. to Fiji and Samoa.

Northern Tubelip

2010-09-30T13:35:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Labropsis manabei
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: TP - Dark gray head, brown body, blue lips; large yellow patch at base of blue tail. black spot on pectoral fin base.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas in 15-30m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Hibernia Reef in Timor Sea, E. Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, north to S.W. Japan.

Micronesian Tubelip

2010-09-26T13:29:00.002+08:00

Scientific Name: Labropsis micromesica
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: TP - Orange-brown with dark scale margins, gray to blue-gray head with white lips, black tail with white margin.
Favourite: Solitary; occasionally act as cleaners.
Hide-out: Clear lagoon or seaward reefs in 7-33m.
Location: Palau and Marshall Is. in Micronesia.

Allen's Tubelip

2010-09-21T13:27:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Labropsis alleni
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: TP - Slender; brown head, yellow green mid-body, white rear and tail; large ocellated spot at pectoral base, small black spot on front of dorsal fin and rear belly.
Favourite: Solitary or in pairs.
Hide-out: Steep slopes of lagoon and seaward reefs in 4-52m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia and Philippines to Solomon Is. and Marshall Is. in Micronesia.

Yellowtail Tubelip

2010-09-15T13:02:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Diproctacanthus xanthurus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 8cm
Identification: TP/IP - White with yellow tail; dark brown stripe on back. black stripe from snout through eye to tail.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Sheltered reefs in 3-25m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea to Great Barrier Reef.

Tubelip Wrasse

2010-09-10T12:59:00.002+08:00

Scientific Name: Labrichthys unilineatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 16cm
Identification: TP - Dark olive with numerous thin blue stripes; broad yellowish bar behind head. IP - Similar, but have yellow lips and lack yellowish bar.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups; feed on coral polyps.
Hide-out: Sheltered reefs with rich coral growth to 20m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - E. Africa to Samoa. S.W. Japan to Australia.

Chiseltooth Razorfish

2010-09-01T12:45:00.003+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudodax mollucanus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 25cm
Identification: TP - Blue-green undercolor with dark spots on scales, orange-red to rust wash on forebody and back, yellow upper lip; pale yellow bar on tail base.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Seaward reefs, including steep outer slopes in 3-40m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to French Polynesia. S. Japan to Australia.

Whitepatch Razorfish

2010-06-04T15:49:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Iniistius aneitensis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 24cm
Identification: TP - Steep blunt snout; pale grey; large white patch on lower forebody, may display 3-4 dusky bars.
Favourite: Dive into sand when alarmed and to sleep at night.
Hide-out: Open sand areas near reefs in 12-92m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - Chagos Is. to Hawaii. S.W. Japan and Micronesia to Australia.

Peacock Razorfish

2010-06-01T15:48:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Iniistius pavo
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 35cm
Identification: TP - Steep blunt head; light gray; whitish patch on lower forebody with one or two black spots above, may display dusky bars.
Favourite: Solitary; dive into sand when alarmed and to sleep at night.
Hide-out: Open sand areas near reefs in 20-100m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Hawaii, French Polynesia and Central America. S. Japan to Australia.

Fivefinger Razorfish

2010-05-29T15:46:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Iniistius pentadactylus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 25cm
Identification: TP - Greenish gray; 4-5 overlapping red spots (appear dark underwater) above pectoral fin, often whitish area followed by a dark blotch on forebody; steep blunt head.
Favourite: Solitary or form loose groups.
Hide-out: Sand to mud slopes to 30m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Australia and Papua New Guinea, north to S. Japan.

Celebes Razorfish

2010-05-26T15:43:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Iniistius celebicus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 25cm
Identification: TP - Pale gray back and white below; large black patch on mid-forebody, horizontally elongate black streak on tail base.
Favourite: Solitary or form loose groups.
Hide-out: Open over sand areas near reefs in 5-20m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia and Philippines to Taiwan and Marshall Is. in Micronesia.

Blackbarred Razorfish

2010-05-23T15:41:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Iniistius tetrazona
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 25cm
Identification: IP - White with 4-5 dark bars or blotches, 1st 2 dorsal rays form small separated pennant.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups.
Hide-out: Coastal sand slopes to 20m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia to Philippines.

Knife Razorfish

2010-05-20T14:58:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Cymolutes praetextatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: Blunt snout; white, often with green to brown tint; faint irregular brown bars with white line running down back, may display broad yellow stripe.
Favourite: Solitary; dive into sand when alarmed and to sleep at night.
Hide-out: Extensive sand or weedy areas near reefs or lagoons in 2-10m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E. Africa to French Polynesia.

Collared Razorfish

2010-05-17T14:53:00.002+08:00

Scientific Name: Cymolutes torquatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP - Blunt snout; pale green to brown with numerous thin body bars; slanting dark bars just above pectoral fin 'collar'.
Favourite: Solitary; dive into sand when alarmed and to sleep at night.
Hide-out: Extensive sand bottoms near reefs or lagoons in 2-15m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - E. Africa to Papua New Guinea. S. Japan to Australia.

Flagfin Wrasse

2009-11-15T12:47:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pteragogus flagellifer
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: TP/IP - Shades of green to yellow-orange with grayish scale spots; yellow-green lips and purplish markings on cheek; deep body. TP - First two dorsal spines with long filaments.
Favourite: Solitary and cryptic.
Hide-out: Among branches of soft coral or weedy areas in 2-30m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - E. Africa to Papua New Guinea. S. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Cockerel Wrasse

2009-11-13T12:45:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pteragogus enneacanthus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP/IP - Mottled shades of red-brown; dark spots on lateral line (may join to form thin stripe); ocellated brown spot on gill cover. TP - Filaments on first two dorsal rays.
Favourite: Solitary and cryptic.
Hide-out: Among stony and soft corals and weeds in 3-25m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia to Australia and Coral Sea, north to Mariana Is. in Micronesia.

Smalltail Wrasse

2009-11-12T12:35:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudojuloides cerasinus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP - Green upper body, blue below; bicolor blue and yellow mid-body stripe, wide black tail margin.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Rubble, weed and coral areas of lagoon and seaward reefs to 61m, usually over 20m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - E. Africa to Samoa and Hawaii. S. Japan to Australia.

Royal Wrasse

2009-11-11T12:33:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudojuloides sevemsi
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: TP - Large dark patch from eyes to mid-body, blue, green and yellow behind; violet snout joins violet stripe below eye to beyond pectoral base, blue margins on tail.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble bottoms in 20-40m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Sri Lanka to Indonesia and Philippines, north to S.W. Japan.

Kaleidios Wrasse

2009-11-10T12:31:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudojuloides kaleidios
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: TP - Green to bluish; broad blackish stripe on upper side and narrower blue stripe immediately below; bright blue snout followed by salmon stripe down back.
Favourite: Solitary or with groups of IP.
Hide-out: Rubble bottoms in 15-40m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Maldives to Indonesia.

Atavia Wrasse

2009-11-09T12:29:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudojuloides atavai
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: IP - Upper head and back reddish brown, white below separated by bicolor black and pale blue stripe. TP - Pink forebody with orange spots or vertical streaks and bands on head, gray rear body and tail with white triangular rear margin.
Favourite: Solitary or groups.
Hide-out: Outer reefs in 12-31m.
Location: South Central Pacific - French Polynesia to Pitcaim Is.

Torpedo Wrasse

2009-11-08T12:27:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudocoris heteroptera
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: TP - Blue-green head and forebody with alternating yellow and blackish bars behind; dark patch behind eye.
Favourite: Form groups well above bottom.
Hide-out: Mixed sand, rubble and coral areas with periodic strong currents in 15-24m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Chagos to S. Japan and Papua New Guinea.

Tailspot Wrasse

2009-11-07T12:58:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus ocellatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 8.5cm
Identification: TP - Magenta to red body; often display thin vertical white lines on side, white-ringed black ocellated spot on tail base, curved magenta spot surrounded by yellow markings below eye.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Outer reef areas in 20-60m.
Location: Pacific - S.W. Japan, Palau and Coral Sea to Pitcaim Is. east of French Polynesia.

Fourstripe Wrasse

2009-11-06T12:57:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 7.5cm
Identification: TP - Four orange to green stripes alternate with 3 blue stripes on back; bluish to greenish to brownish belly.
Favourite: Solitary; cryptic, hide in small recesses of coral or rubble.
Hide-out: Seaward reefs in 6-44m.
Location: Pacific - Bonin Is. in S. Japan to Palau, Hawaii and French Polynesia.

Eightstripe Wrasse

2009-11-05T12:52:00.002+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus octotaenia
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13.5cm
Identification: TP - Pale to dark red to orange with light to dark purple stripes, sometimes with yellow stripes between.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Coral or rubble patches on seaward reefs in 2-50m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E. Africa to Hawaii and Ducie I. east of French Polynesia. S.W. Japan to Australia.

Disappearing Wrasse

2009-11-04T12:51:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus evanidus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 8cm
Identification: TP - Red to orange with thin white lines on side; white band under eye, bluish vertical streak on cheek, frequently with 5-6 diffuse pale bars.
Favourite: Solitary and cryptic.
Hide-out: Rubble and coral patches on seaward slopes in 6-40m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Hawaii and French Polynesia. Izu Is. in S. Japan to Australia.

Southern Wrasse

2009-11-03T16:29:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Stethojulis notialis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: IP - Green back gradating to pale underside with fine dark reticulations; broad yellow stripe from upper head to upper tail base.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Mixed botoms of sand, rubble, weeds, and coral, usually less than 6m.
Location: West Pacific - Fiji, New Caledonia and Norfolk I.

Cutribbon Wrasse

2009-11-02T12:28:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Stethojulis interrupta
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: TP - Orangish rust upper body, green below; pair of blue to green stripes, one on back, other extends from snout to tail usually interrupted on forebody.
Favourite: Form groups.
Hide-out: Reef flats and coastal shallows to 18m, but usually less than 3m.
Location: East Indo-Pacific - E. Andaman Sea and W. Australia to Tuamotu Is. in French Polynesia. S. Japan to E. Australia.

Surge Wrasse

2009-11-01T12:13:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Thalassoma purpureum
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 43cm
Identification: TP - Green to blue; pink to lavender bands on head, irregular purple stripe on back and pair of reddish stripes on side.
Favourite: Form groups.
Hide-out: Surge zone of reef flats and rocky coasts to 5m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Hawaii and Easter I. in the southeast Pacific. S. Japan to Australia.

Sixbar Wrasse

2009-10-31T12:12:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Thalassoma hardwicke
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: TP/IP - Pale green to whitish with 5-6 black saddles that gradually decrease in size towards tail; pink bands on head, purple to black band on rear edge of gill cover.
Favourite: Form groups.
Hide-out: Coastal, lagoon and outer reefs to 15m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E. Africa to Line Is., Austral and Tuamotu Is. in French Polynesia. S. Japan to E. Australia.

Ladder Wrasse

2009-10-30T12:10:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Thalassoma trilobatum
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 30cm
Identification: TP - Salmon-pink to orange; two stripes formed by vertically elongate green to blue-green rectangles.
Favourite: Solitary or in pursuit of females.
Hide-out: Shallow reefs and rocky shores exposed to wave action.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E. Africa to Pitcaim Is. east of French Polynesia. S.W. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Jansen's Wrasse

2009-10-29T12:08:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Thalassoma jansenii
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: TP/IP - Large black patch from snout to behind pectoral fin followed by 2 wide black bars with white or yellow between, yellow on tail base; underside of head and forebelly white to green.
Favourite: Form groups.
Hide-out: Coastal, lagoon and outer reefs to 10m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - Maldives to Fiji. S. Japan to E. Australia.

Fivestripe Wrasse

2009-10-28T12:06:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Thalassoma quinquevittatum
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 16cm
Identification: TP - Purple head with green bands, green upper body, yellow below; pair of purple wavy-edged stripes on upper body, purple tail borders.
Favourite: Form aggregations.
Hide-out: Lagoon and seaward reefs to 18m, often in surge channels less than 5m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E. Africa to Micronesia, Hawaii and French Polynesia. S. japan to Australia and Lord Howe I.

Slender Wrasse

2009-10-27T12:39:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Oxycheilinus orientalis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 17cm
Identification: Slender body; salmon to brown; several pale, somewhat indistinct, ragged body bars.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Sand, rubble and areas of dense algae in lagoons and around reefs in 18-70m.
Location: West Pacific - Kalimantan (Borneo) in Indonesia to Samoa. S.W. Japan to S.E. Australia.

Celebes Wrasse

2009-10-26T12:37:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Oxycheilinus celebicus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 24cm
Identification: Variegated shades of brown with several dark blotches on rear body; pink to orange lines radiating from eye; elongate snout.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas on slopes of lagoon and seaward reefs in 3-30m.
Location: Asian Pacific - S. Japan, Kalimantan (Borneo) in Indonesia to Solomon Is.

Arenatus Wrasse

2009-10-25T12:35:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Oxycheilinus arenatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 19cm
Identification: Salmon to brown; dark stripe from eye to tail, orange base of pectoral fin; may change to white below dark stripe.
Favourite: Solitary and cryptic.
Hide-out: Hide inside caves, recesses and protected areas of outer reefs and dropoffs in 25-46m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - Red Sea to Samoa, north to Philippines and Micronesia.

Zigzag Wrasse

2009-10-24T12:53:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres scapularis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: TP - Pale green with blue to lavender scale margins; blue to lavender bands on head, large black diffuse spot on forebody.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble bottoms and seagrass beds near reefs to 20m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. S. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Yellowface Wrasse

2009-10-23T12:51:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres solorensis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 18cm
Identification: TP - Mauve to gray to nearly black body, yellowish head with pink bands; black spot on pectoral fin base, yellow-ringed black spot on front of dorsal fin.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of shoreline, lagoon and seaward reefs in 10-40m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia and Philippines.

Wisata Wrasse

2009-10-22T12:50:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres binotopsis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP - Light green with 4-5 squarish dark bars on back; red stripes on lower side, bands on head and tail.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of coastal reefs and lagoons in 2-8m.
Location: Localized - Bali to Papua New Guinea.

Weedy Surge Wrasse

2009-10-21T12:48:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres margaritaceus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: TP - Shades of green with mauve scale spots forming a series of blotches along sides; pink diagonal band on cheek.
Favourite: Form groups.
Hide-out: Reef flats, shallow tops of patch reefs in areas exposed to surge to 3m.
Location: East Indo-Pacific - Cocos-Keeling Is. to Micronesia, Line Is. and Pitcaim Is. S. Japan to N.W. & S.E. Australia.

Twotone Wrasse

2009-10-20T12:45:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres prosopeion
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: TP - Purplish head and forebody gradating to yellow rear body; black spot on front of dorsal fin.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of lagoons, patch reefs and puter slopes in 2-40m.
Location: West Pacific - Indonesia and Palau to Samoa. S.W. Japan to S.E. Australia.

Twospot Wrasse

2009-10-19T12:44:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres biocellatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP - Alternating red and green stripes on head fade onto forebody, darkish toward rear with 4 wide dusky bars.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Seaward reefs in 6-35m.
Location: West Pacific - Indonesia, Philippines and Micronesia to Fiji. Taiwan to N.W. Australia and S. Great Barrier Reef.

Threespot Wrasse

2009-10-18T12:42:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres trimaculatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 27cm
Identification: TP - Pale yellowish green with lavender vertical streak on most scales; lavender bands on head, black spot on upper tail base and dusty to black spot on forebody.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble with isolated coral heads to 18m.
Location: East Indo-Pacific - Christmas I. to Micronesia, Line Is. and French Polynesia. S. Japan to Australia and Lord Howe I.

Seagrass Wrasse

2009-10-17T12:40:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres papilionaceus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: TP - Shades of green with variable mauve bar or blotch markings on back; pink bands on head, black tail margin.
Favourite: Form aggregations.
Hide-out: Seagrass beds and weedy areas to 4m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia, Malaysian Peninsula, Philippines, Palau and Papua New Guinea.

Redhead Wrasse

2009-10-16T12:38:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres rubricephalus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: TP - Bright red head, bluish black body.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Coastal patch reefs in 15-35m.
Location: Localized - Known only from Maumere area of Flores I. in Indonesia.

Pastel-Green Wrasse

2009-10-15T12:37:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres chloropterus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 19cm
Identification: TP - Pastel green with lavender scale spots; lavender markings on head, may display small yellow patch behind eye.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Protected, silty reefs of lagoons, sheltered coast and adjacent sand and rubble bottoms to 10m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Sumatra in Indonesia, Micronesia to Solomon Is. Philippines to Great Barrier Reef.

Ornate Wrasse

2009-10-14T12:35:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres ornatissimus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 15cm
Identification: TP/IP - Greenish with lattice of inter-linked rose stripes and bars; irregular rose and green bands on head; small dark spot behind eye.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Lagoon and seaward reefs in 10-40m.
Location: Pacific - Indonesia, Palau and Mariana Is. in Micronesia, Hawaii and French Polynesia. S. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Nebulous Wrasse

2009-10-13T12:33:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres nebulosus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP - Shades of green; variable mauve markings including large blotch on mid-body, ocellated spot on mid-dorsal fin, boomerang-shaped pink marking below eye.
Favourite: Form groups.
Hide-out: Shallow weedy areas near reefs to 40m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Papua New Guinea. S. Japan to Australia.

Indian Pinstriped Wrasse

2009-10-12T12:31:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres vrolikii
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: TP - Light green with darker green stripes of linked spots; 3-4 narrow greenish white bars on back, green and pink bands on head, yellow pectoral fin base.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Coral reefs in 2-20m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Maldives and Andaman Sea to Moluccan Is. in E. Indonesia.

Green-Headed Wrasse

2009-10-11T12:30:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres chlorocephalus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 9cm
Identification: IP - Purple with narrow orange stripes. TP - Dark purple with orange stripes on lime-green head.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Silty lagoon and coastal reefs in 15-30m.
Location: Localized - Togean Is. in Tomini Bay, E. Sulawesi, Indonesia. Also Palawan in Philippines and Papua New Guinea.

Greenback Wrasse

2009-10-10T12:28:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres nigrescens
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 14cm
Identification: TP - Dark green upper body, pale below; 4-6 narrow pale bars, purple or reddish bands on head, stripes on upper forebody, bars on tail.
Favourite: Usually form groups.
Hide-out: Silty or weedy reefs near shore to 10m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - E. Africa to Australia, north to S. Japan.

Goldstripe Wrasse

2009-10-09T12:26:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres zeylonicus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 15cm
Identification: TP - Green; broad stripe of mauve gradating to orange, bright yellow marking around base of pectoral fin.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble bottoms near reefs in 10-40m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - Red Sea and Arabian Gulf to Samoa. S. Japan to Australia.

Dusky Wrasse

2009-10-08T12:24:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres marginatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 17cm
Identification: TP - Green to brownish, tail green with ornate central bar; narrow blue bands on head, stripes of joined dark blue spots on body.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of lagoons and outer reefs to 30m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Micronesia, Line Is. and Tuamotu Is. in French Polynesia. S. Japan to S.E. Australia.

Cosmetic Wrasse

2009-10-07T12:23:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres cosmetus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 13cm
Identification: TP - Pale greenish with 6-7 bright orange stripes.
Favourite: Solitary or form small loose groups.
Hide-out: Lagoons and outer slopes in mixed coral and rubble areas to 30m.
Location: Indian Ocean - E. Africa to Andaman Sea and N.W. Sumatra in Indonesia.

Circle-Cheek Wrasse

2009-10-06T12:21:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres miniatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: Varigated pattern, has circular pink marking on cheek.
Favourite: Occurs in groups.
Hide-out: Sheltered rubble and coral reefs in 1-10m.
Location: West Pacific - Indonesia to Solomon Islands and northern Great Barrier Reef, northward to southern Japan.

Checkerboard Wrasse

2009-10-05T12:19:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres hortulanus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 27cm
Identification: TP - Green with blue bar on each scale; mauve or orange bands on head, pale green area behind head, yellow spot below front of dorsal fin.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Sand patches of lagoons and seaward reefs to 35m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Micronesia, Line Is. and French Polynesia. S. Japan to S.E. Australia.

Canarytop Wrasse

2009-10-04T12:17:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres leucoxanthus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 11cm
Identification: TP - Bright golden-yellow upper body, white below. IP - Similar, but with 3 black spots on dorsal fin.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble fringes of coral reefs in 20-40m.
Location: Indian Ocean - Maldives and Andaman Sea to Bali.

Canary Wrasse

2009-10-03T12:15:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres chrysus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: IP - Bright golden yellow; 2-3 black spots on dorsal fin. TP - Similar, but with only one black spot on front of dorsal fin and faint orange bands on head, breast and median fins.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble edges of reefs to 60m.
Location: East Indo-Asian Pacific - Christmas I. to Indonesia and Micronesia. S. Japan to N.W. & E. Australia.

Black-Eared Wrasse

2009-10-02T12:13:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres melasmapomus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 14cm
Identification: TP - Lavender body and red tail, green head with blue-edged orange bands; large blue-edged black spot behind eye, smaller spot on upper tail base.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Steep outer reefs slopes in 10-56m.
Location: East Indo-Pacific - Cocos-Keeling to N.W. Australia, Philippines, S. Japan, Micronesia and French Polynesia.

Black Wrasse

2009-10-01T12:10:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres melanochir
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: IP - Purple with black spots and black scale margins on side; prominent black spot covering pectoral fin base. TP - Similar, but with yellow tail fin.
Favourite: Solitary or in pairs or small groups.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble fringe of coral reefs in 5-25m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia and Philippines. Taiwan to W. Australia.

Axilspot Wrasse

2009-09-30T12:06:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres podostigma
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 19cm
Identification: TP - Pale brown upper head, white below and white tail base; black scales on body with contrasting yellow-brown margins; black spot on pectoral fin base and ventral fins.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Coastal and lagoon reefs in 2-12m.
Location: Asian Pacific - Indonesia, Sabah in N. Borneo and Philippines.

Argus Wrasse

2009-09-29T12:04:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Halichoeres argus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 11cm
Identification: JP/IP - Dark green to greenish brown with white spots on scales. TP - Reddish with light green polygon on each scale and green back.
Favourite: Form aggregations.
Hide-out: Seagrass and weed-covered reefs near shore to 5m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - Sri Lanka to Fiji. Taiwan to Australia.

Candystripe Wrasse

2009-09-28T12:48:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Conniella apterygia
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 8cm
Identification: TP - White and red stripes; unique among wrasses in lacking ventral fins.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups of up to 10 individuals.
Hide-out: Rubble bottoms with scattered coral heads on outer reefs in 25-50m.
Location: Localized - Offshore reefs of N.W. Australia.

Cigar Wrasse

2009-09-27T12:05:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Cheilio inermis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 50cm
Identification: TP - Elongate; shades of green with several white spots along back.
Favourite: Solitary or with several females; often shadowed bu other fish predators.
Hide-out: Usually in weedy areas or seagrass beds of lagoons, reef flats and coastal reefs to 30m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Hawaii and Easter I. in southeastern Pacific. S.W. Japan to S.E. Australia.

Bird Wrasse

2009-09-26T12:46:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Gomphosus varius
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 28cm
Identification: TP - Slender body with greatly elongate snout; blue-green head, green body; dark streak on pectoral fin.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of lagoons and seaward reefs to 35m.
Location: Pacific - Indonesia to Hawaii, Marquesas and Rapa Is. in French Polynesia. S. Japan to Australia.

Whitebanded Pygmy Wrasse

2009-09-25T12:08:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Wetmorella albofasciata
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 6cm
Identification: Brown; pair of inward slanting white bands on mid-side, pair of white bands radiate from eye, thin white bar on tail base, black spots on dorsal, anal and ventral fins.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Crevices and recesses of lagoon and seaward reefs in 8-42m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E. Africa to Hawaii and Society Is. in French Polynesia. S. Japan to Australia.

Sharpnose Wrasse

2009-09-24T12:04:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Wetmorella nigropinnata
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 8cm
Identification: Red to brownish; yellow bar behind eye and another across tail base, white-edged black spot on ventral, rear dorsal and anal fins.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Recesses, caves and crevices of lagoon and seaward reefs to 30m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Marquesas Is. and Pitcaim Is. east of French Polynesia. S.W. Japan to Australia.

Slingjaw Wrasse

2009-09-23T12:23:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Epibulus insidiator
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 35cm
Identification: TP - Deep body; white head and dark body with orange back from head to mid-body; diffuse yellow mid-body bar, black outline around scales, black streak through eye.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Coral-rich areas of lagoons and outer or seaward reefs to 42m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Micronesia, Hawaii and Tuamotu Is. in French Polynesia. S. Japan to Australia.

Yellowtail Wrasse

2009-09-22T12:10:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses meleagrides
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 22cm
Identification: TP - Reddish to greenish brown with vertical blue streak on each scale; bluish crescent followed by white margin on tail.
Favourite: Usually solitary or form small groups with females.
Hide-out: Coral, rubble and sand of seaward reefs in 4-60m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Micronesia and Tuamotu Is. in French Polynesia. S. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Yellow-Breasted Wrasse

2009-09-21T12:08:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses twistii
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 18cm
Identification: TP - Purplish brown with horizontal rows of small white spots, yellow lower head and forebody; ragged yellow bar on mid-side.
Favourite: Solitary or in pairs.
Hide-out: Lagoons and outer reefs in 3-30m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Micronesia and Tuamotu Is. In French Polynesia. S. Japan to Australia.

White-Spotted Wrasse

2009-09-20T12:06:00.000+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses melanurus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP - Black with rows of bluish white spots, yellow foretail; broad yellow irregular stripe extends from pectoral fin to tail.
Favourite: Solitary or in pairs; bury in sand at night.
Hide-out: Outer reefs and lagoons, most common in shallow but occasionally to 30m.
Location: Pacific - Indonesia, S. Micronesia to French Polynesia and Easter Is. in southeastern Pacific. S.W. Japan to Australia.

New Guinea Wrasse

2009-09-19T12:04:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses neoguinaicus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 17cm
Identification: TP - Yellowish white with pale blue vertical lines on scales; upper head dark with blue line markings, salmon, blue and black spot behind edge of upper gill cover.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Coral-rich seaward slopes in 4-30m.
Location: West Pacific - E. Indonesia, Philippines and Palau in Micronesia to Fiji. S.W. Japan to Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

Lined Wrasse

2009-09-18T12:02:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses lineatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP - Black with white spots or horizontal lines on sides; white bar across base of black tail.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups; bury in sand at night.
Hide-out: Outer reefs and lagoons in 20-45m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Bali in Indonesia.

Goldstripped Wrasse

2009-09-17T12:00:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses lennardi
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 28cm
Identification: IP - Blue with yellow-gold occasionally broken stripes and markings; blue margins on fins.
Favourite: Solitary, in pairs or small groups.
Hide-out: Coastal reefs in 3-24m.
Location: Localized - N.W. Australia.

Geographic Wrasse

2009-09-16T12:58:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses geographicus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: TP - Brown to olive with thin dark bluish outlines on scales; line markings on head, narrow bluish borders on dorsal, anal and tail fins.
Favourite: Solitary.
Hide-out: Mix with algae and soft corals on reef tops and slopes to 25m.
Location: Indo-West Pacific - Mauritius and S.W. Australia to Caroline Is. in Micronesia and Fiji. S.W. Japan to S.E. Australia.

Feminine Wrasse

2009-09-15T12:56:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses femininus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 24cm
Identification: TP - Dusky yellow to greenish brown body with blue linemarkings on scales, dark tail with blue markings, dark head with blue stripes.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Coral and rocky reefs in 10-30m.
Location: Southern Pacific - S. Pacific from S.E. Australia to Easter I. in southeastern Pacific.

Elegant Wrasse

2009-09-14T12:54:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses elegans
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 30cm
Identification: IP - Yellowish brown upper body with horizontal rows of small blue spots, abruptly white below.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Coral or rocky reefs in 10-40m.
Location: Southwestern Pacific - New South Wales, Lord Howe I. and N. New Zealand.

Blue-Spotted Wrasse

2009-09-13T12:52:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Anampses caeruleopunctatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 42cm
Identification: TP - Green to brownish green with blue to blue-green vertical streak on each scale; yellow to lime-green bar on forebody.
Favourite: Solitary or with one or more females. Solitary or in pairs; bury in sand at night.
Hide-out: Shallow coral or rocky reefs to 30m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Easter Is. in southeastern Pacific.

Ornate Wrasse

2009-09-12T12:15:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon ornatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 12cm
Identification: TP - Black body with blue spot on each scale; head and fins orange with dark-edged blue bands.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Sand and rubble bottoms of coral reefs in 3-30m.
Location: East Indo-West Pacific - Andaman Sea to Samoa. S.W. Japan to Australia.

Seagrass Razorfish

2009-09-11T12:05:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Novaculichthys macrolepidotus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 15cm
Identification: TP - Bright green with dark band and lines radiating from eye; several black spots usually just before tail base.
Favourite: Form aggregations in seagrass and weed beds.
Hide-out: Lagoons and coastal areas to 5m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Micronesia and New Guinea. S.W. Japan to S.E. Australia and Lord Howe I.

Leopard Wrasse

2009-09-10T12:13:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon meleagris
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 15cm
Identification: TP - Dull orange-red to purple or green undercolor with black or blue-edged green spot on each body scale; blue edged green bands on head, small black spot above pectoral.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Coral and rubble bottoms in 2-30m.
Location: East Indo-Pacific - Cocos-Keeling Is. to Micronesia, Line and Pitcaim Is. (absent Indonesia). S. Japan and S.E. Australia.

Rockmover Wrasse

2009-09-09T12:02:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Novaculichthys taeniourus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 27cm
Identification: TP/IP - Pale gray head, dark brown to black body with pale spot on each scale; white bar on tail base, may display lines radiating from eye.
Favourite: Solitary; turn over rocks in search of prey.
Hide-out: Rubble bottoms next to reefs to 20m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - Red Sea and E. Africa to Micronesia, Hawaii, French Polynesia and Panama. S.W. Japan to Australia.

Kuiter's Wrasse

2009-09-08T12:11:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon kuiteri
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: TP - Whitish with orange scale margins; pale-edged black spot on rear gill cover; green bands on head.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Base of dropoffs in deeper water.
Location: Southwestern Pacific - S. Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia to New South Wales in S.E. Australia.

Twospot Slender Hogfish

2009-09-07T12:00:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Bodianus bimaculatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: Small and slender; variable from yellowish upper body and pink below to pink upper body and white below; may have thin red stripes, black spot on rear gill cover and often another on tail base.
Favourite: Form small groups.
Hide-out: Steep outer reef slopes in 30-60m.
Location: Indo-Asian Pacific - Mauritius to Papua New Guinea. S. Japan to Great Barrier Reef.

Choat's Wrasse

2009-09-06T12:09:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon choati
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 10cm
Identification: TP - White with red blotches and red stripes on lower head; large dark spot surrounded by yellow on gill cover.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Lagoons, passes and seaward reefs in 6-28m.
Location: Localized - S. Great Barrier Reef to N. New South Wales in Australia.

Saddleback Hogfish

2009-09-05T12:58:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Bodianus bilunulatus
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 55cm
Identification: TP - Pale undercolor with numerous dark reddish to greenish or grayish brown thin stripes; large dark or pale spot below rear dorsal fin.
Favourite: Solitary; feed on benthic invertebrates.
Hide-out: Lagoons and outer reef slopes in 8-108m.
Location: Indo-Pacific - E. Africa to Hawaii and Pitcairn Is. east of French Polynesia. S. Japan to Australia.

Black Leopard Wrasse

2009-09-04T12:06:00.001+08:00

Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon negrosensis
Family: Wrasses - Labridae
Maximum Size: 15cm
Identification: TP - Black with translucent tail that may have dark borders; several pale saddle blotches on back and band markings on head.
Favourite: Solitary or form small groups.
Hide-out: Mixed sand, rubble and coral areas in 8-32m.
Location: East Indo-West Pacific - Andaman Sea to Philippines and Samoa. S.W. Japan to S.E. Australia.