Broomtail wrasse

Lore & Background

The broomtail wrasse reaches an average length of about 35 cm, with males reaching up to 50 cm. Adults have a large, bright green head with small spots and large blue lips. The pectoral fins are yellow, while the abdominal, anal, and caudal fins are dark blue. The body is yellow-green in the middle and dark purple elsewhere, with a characteristic bright-yellow marking on a black background near the operculum. Females and juveniles display large, dark stripes on their flanks.

This species occurs in the Red Sea to the Gulf of Oman, mainly near Djibouti, Eritrea, the Seychelles, and Somalia. In the Indo-Pacific, it is replaced by the closely related Cheilinus trilobatus. Broomtail wrasses inhabit coral reefs and adjacent sand and seagrass habitats at depths from 2 to 30 m. They feed primarily on molluscs and hard-shelled invertebrates, and are oviparous.

Reader's Guide

The broomtail wrasse is a distinctive member of the wrasse family, recognized by its large size, vivid coloration, and the long fringed caudal fin that gives it its common name. Its presence on coral reefs and adjacent sand and seagrass habitats from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Oman makes it a notable species for divers and reef observers. The species is oviparous and feeds on molluscs and hard-shelled invertebrates, playing a role in the reef ecosystem as a predator of these organisms. In the Indo-Pacific, it is replaced by the closely related Cheilinus trilobatus, indicating a biogeographic boundary. The broomtail wrasse's striking appearance, including the bright-yellow marking near the operculum and the blue lips, contributes to its recognition among reef fishes. Its maximum length of 50 cm in males and average length of about 35 cm place it among the larger wrasses in its range.

Did You Know?

• The common name 'broomtail' comes from its long, fringed caudal fin resembling an old broom.
• Males can reach a maximum length of 50 cm, while the average length is about 35 cm.