Threespot Wrasse, Halichoeres trimaculatus (Quoy & Gaimard 1834)
Introduction
Threespot Wrasse can generally be recognised by their distictive colouration. Adults usually occur over sand or rubble near coral reefs and in lagoons.
Identification
Initial phase Threespot Wrasse have a greenish-yellow body with pink-rimmed scales. There is usually a large black spot surrounded by yellow on the top of the caudal fin base (yellow only on the fish in the image). There is a smaller black spot on the pectoral fin base.
Terminal phase males are similar in colour, but have an additional black mark below the first part of the dorsal fin. The head has irregular pink and green markings and the black spot on the caudal peduncle is more obvious than in initial phase fish. The caudal fin may be completely yellow.
Habitat
Adult Threespot Wrasse are commonly seen over sand or rubble near coral reefs and in lagoons. Juveniles inhabit shallower protected coastal waters. It is found in depths from 1 m to 18 m.
Distribution
The Threespot Wrasse occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling and Christmas Islands, throughout South-east Asia and Micronesia, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to French Polynesia.
In Australia it is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to northern 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.
Feeding and diet
The species feeds primarily on crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes, fish eggs and small fishes.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2002. Fairy and Rainbow Wrasses and their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Selected Labroids. TMC Publishing. Pp. 208.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.