WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Celebes Wrasse

Oxycheilinus celebicus

Also known as: Celebes Maori Wrasse, Eared Maori Wrasse, Maori Wrasse, Slender Maori, Slender Maori Wrasse, Slender Splendour Wrasse, Slender Wrasse, Sulawesi Wrasse, Thicklip Wrasse

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2010
Adult
@perigor2000 · Tropic Dancer, Palau · December 20131 / 8
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Overview

Found singly or in pairs, over slopes of lagoons and protected seaward reefs rich in coral and invertebrate growth.
Juveniles found in sheltered areas.

Most reef fish seen by divers during the day, are grazers, they cruise around, just above the surface of the coral, or snoop into crevices, foraging for food.
Wrasses have small protruding teeth, which they use to graze the bottom, taking in a variety of algae, crustaceans, such as crabs, eggs, shrimps, snails and worms. Any hard coats or thick shells, are then ground down by their pharyngeal jaws, and the delicacies inside digested.
From juvenile to adult, wrasses dramatically alter their colour and body shapes.
Wrasses are always on the go during the day, but are the first to go to bed and the last to rise.
Small wrasses dive below the sand to sleep, and larger wrasses wedge themselves in crevices.

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How to identify

Behaviour
pairssolitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Pacific
  • Country only · 8
LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, over slopes of lagoons and protected seaward reefs rich in coral and invertebrate growth.

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Adult photos 8

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderEupercaria incertae sedis
    5. familyLabridae
    6. genusOxycheilinus
    7. speciesOxycheilinus celebicus (Bleeker, 1853)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Wrasses (Labridae)