Twospot Wrasse (juvenile)

Oxycheilinus bimaculatus is a member of Maori wrasses native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

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. Depth range 2 - 110 m. Benthic and benthopelagic.