Fish of the Maldives

A Guide to Common Reef Fish


Wrasses

Blue-streak Cleaner Wrasse

Labroides dimidiatus


Usually seen ON another fish cleaning it, not alone!  Up to 10cm.

Bird Wrasse

Gomphosus caeruleus


Come in various colors during various stages of their life, but recognized by its bird beak-like nose.

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Six-bar Wrasse

Thalassoma hardwicke


One of the smaller wrasses; up to 20cm, also with a lunate tail.

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Jansen's Wrasse

Thalassoma jensenii


Also one of the smaller wrasses, and lunate-tailed.  Up to to 20cm.

Two-tone Wrasse

Thalassoma jensenii


Up to 20cm.  Note the lunate tail.

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Checkerboard Wrasse

Hemitautoga hortulanus


Shading of colors can vary, but the checkerboard pattern is distinctive. Up to 25cm.

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Banded Thick-lip Wrasse

Hemigymnus fasciatus


Coloration can vary, but is always banded.  Up to 30cm.

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Queen Rainbow-Wrasse

Allocoris formosa


Female with spots; male with vertical bands.  Up to 50cm.

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Half-and-Half Wrasse

Hemigymnus melaperus


Up to 50cm.

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Triple-tail Maori Wrasse

Cheilinus trilobatus


Light pink spots & scribbles on head and "triple" shaped tail helps identify the juvenile on right.  Up to 40cm.

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Reindeer Wrasse (Juvenile)

Novaculichthys taeniourus


Juvenile picture only; have yet to see an adult, which looks completely different!  Reindeer Wrasse are also know as Rockmover Wrasse.

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