Introducing our April Fish of the Month, the Broom-tail Wrasse, Cheilinus lunulatus!

Survey Regions: The Broom-tail Wrasse is found in REEF's Indian Ocean & Red Sea (IORS) survey region. It is found throughout the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and western Indian Ocean. Click here to see a distribution for this species in the REEF database.

Size: They grow to a maximum of 50 cm/20 inches long.

Identifying Features: Broom-tail Wrasses are green with small pink spots on their forebody. Males have yellow pectoral fins and a dark blue tail with ragged, broom-like edges.

Fun Facts: Broom-tail Wrasses live on outer reefs and lagoons, and are usually solitary, unless they are spawning, which happens in the afternoons. They eat bottom-dwelling invertebrates like clams and shrimp. 

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.

Photo by François Libert, https://www.flickr.com/photos/zsispeo/.