Two-spot wrasse
Oxycheilinus bimaculatus
Max. length: 15 cm.
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. 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.
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.
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan, south to Vanuatu.
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. 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.
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.
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan, south to Vanuatu.