Little Maori Wrasse, Oxycheilinus bimaculatus (Valenciennes, 1840)

Introduction

The Little Maori Wrasse can be recognised by its colouration and caudal fin shape. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

Identification

The Little Maori Wrasse can be recognised by its colouration and caudal fin shape. Females have a rounded caudal fin, while males have a rhomboid shaped caudal fin with an extended upper lobe. The species is brownish, often with white spots above and pale below. There is a dark brown blotch above the pectoral fin that is sometimes followed by three less obvious blotches. Orange lines radiate from the eye.

Habitat

The species is most commonly found on rubbly and algae covered seabeds from the shallows to about 100 m in depth.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from Scott Reef off north-western Western Australia and the northern Great Barrier Reef, south to southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
4. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.