Speckled maori wrasse
Oxycheilinus arenatus
Max length : 21.0 cm
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11. Recognized by the thin mid-lateral stripe and elongated blotch at front of dorsal fin between 1st and 3rd spines. Body covered with relatively large scales; large canine teeth in the front of jaws.
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 25 - 60 m
Found solitary in caves of steep outer reef drop-offs from 25 to at least 46 m with rich invertebrate growth such as large gorgonians or soft corals. Feeds mainly on fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Marshall Islands and Samoa. Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11. Recognized by the thin mid-lateral stripe and elongated blotch at front of dorsal fin between 1st and 3rd spines. Body covered with relatively large scales; large canine teeth in the front of jaws.
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 25 - 60 m
Found solitary in caves of steep outer reef drop-offs from 25 to at least 46 m with rich invertebrate growth such as large gorgonians or soft corals. Feeds mainly on fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Marshall Islands and Samoa. Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique