Yellowtail Wrasse

The spotted wrasse, Anampses meleagrides, is a species of wrasse native to the Indian Ocean from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific Ocean to Samoa and the Tuamoto Islands and north to Japan. This species is found on coral reefs at depths of 3 to 60 m (9.8 to 196.9 ft). It can reach a length of 22 cm (8.7 in). It is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries and can be found in the aquarium trade.

Description

Ground color of female very dark brown; orangish on front of head and lower parts; body spotted with white or very pale yellow, extending to dorsal and anal fins; caudal bright cadmium. Male form deep violet; irregular blue spots on cheeks and lower operculum; body with round blue spots becoming oblong, nearly forming longitudinal bands ventrally; dorsal and anal fins with longitudinal bands; caudal with numerous blue ocelli. Dorsal spines flexible. Caudal fin of adults truncate to emarginate; rounded in small juveniles.

Distribution

Jurien Bay to Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea, and the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, to at least the Solitary Islands, New South Wales; also Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. Elsewhere the species is widespread in much of the Indo-west-central Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Tuamotu Islands in the east, north to southern Japan, and south to northern Australia. Adults inhabit areas of mixed coral, rubble, and sand on seaward reefs; also soft coral and sponge habitats.

Similar Species

Underwater, Anampses meleagrides is easily confused with male A. geographicus, unless A. meleagrides is displaying the iridescent blue-green lines and spots over the body and fins.