Linedcheek Wrasse (female)

The Linedcheek Wrasse, Oxycheilinus digramma, is a species of wrasse native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries and can also be found in the aquarium trade. The fish grows to about 40 cm (16 in) in standard length. Coloring of the fish varies from pale gray to purple. Aquarium specimens are less tense than their wild counterparts.

Other names: Cheek-Lined Wrasse

Description

A highly variable wrasse with fine dark diagonal bands on the lower cheek and gill cover. Males are often greenish-grey above becoming pinkish red or whitish below, with a pale lips and dark vertical lone on each scale margin. The side of the fish's head has horizontal stripes, while the front of the head has red spots. Females are mottled with two broad reddish bands on the lower part of the body and a red blotch on the pelvic fin base. Juveniles have a broad orange to brownish mid-lateral stripe with two small dark spots on the rear of this stripe. Differs from the very similar C. unifasciatus by always lacking the white bar in front of the caudal base as well as the area clear of red streaks extending from the eye to just above the pectoral axis

Habitat

Oxycheilinus digramma lives in coral reefs, sheltered inland areas, and lagoons, possibly at depths from 3 to 60 m (9.8 to 196.9 ft). Juveniles of O. digramma have been observed to live among the tentacles of the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis. This species eats sea urchins, molluscs, and crustaceans. It uses other fish as a moving blind to approach its prey.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marshall Islands and Samoa