Twospot Wrasse

Description

Body variable from brown to yellow or green mixed with various color shades or spots. Males develop long filaments on the caudal fin. Young with a broad, dark lateral stripe which breaks into dark blotches in adults, the largest above distal pectoral fins. A small dark spot behind eye. Mouth terminal or lower jaw slightly projecting. Caudal fin of terminal males rhomboid, with central rays longest, and dorsalmost caudal-fin ray elongated into a short filament. A small species (reaching about 15 cm).

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan, south to Vanuatu.

Habitat

Inhabits outer reef slopes or deep clear lagoons among rubble or clumps of algae; also in seagrass beds. Often in sheltered estuaries and harbors. Benthic and benthopelagic.