Threespot Wrasse, Halichoeres trimaculatus (Quoy & Gaimard 1834)

Scientific name: Halichoeres trimaculatus
Threespot Wrasse Click to enlarge image
A Threespot Wrasse at a depth of 12m, inside Mantis Reef, far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, November 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Halichoeres
    Species
    trimaculatus
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 20 cm in length.

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

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 2002. Fairy and Rainbow Wrasses and their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Selected Labroids. TMC Publishing. Pp. 208.
  3. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.