Twotone Wrasse, Halichoeres prosopeion (Bleeker, 1853)

Introduction

Adult Twotone Wrasse are blue on the front half of the body, changing abruptly to yellow posteriorly. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

Identification

Adult Twotone Wrasse are blue on the front half of the body, changing abruptly to yellow posteriorly. The dorsal fin is blue at the front with a large dark spot. This colouration does not vary between male and females. Juvenile Twotone Wrasse are white with four black stripes on the body.

Habitat

The Twotone Wrasse is usually seen on coral reefs and outer seaward reef slopes. It can be found at depths of 2 m to 40 m.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific, from Indonesia, north to the Philippines, south to Australia and east to the Samoan Islands. In Australia the Twotone Wrasse is known from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland south to the central coast of 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

Twotone Wrasse feed on small crabs, shrimp, worms and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
2. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 222.
3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 415.