Wedge-Tailed Wrasse

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.