Latin name

Halichoeres trimaculatus

Other name

Three-spot wrasse, spotted-tail rainbowfish, spotted-tail rainbow-fish, three-spot rainbowfish.

Identification

It is a fish with an elongated body covered with large cycloid scales. It has a small mouth with thick and fleshy lips with wrinkles on the inside of the lips.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. 

Fish colouring

The back of these fish is light greenish to yellowish, white underneath; the scales are pink to blackish along the edges; there is a black spot on the upper base of the pectoral fin; another black spot, about the diameter of the eye, is on the upper base of the caudal fin.

Distribution

Widespread in the Indo-Pacific: Christmas Island and Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean to Line and Ducie Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.

Habitat

A marine tropical species associated with reefs. Depth range 2 to 30 m, usually 2 to 18 m.

Size

The maximum length of this species is 27 cm.

Behavior

They inhabit sandy areas of reef shoals, lagoons and semi-protected coastal reefs. Juveniles are found in shallow, sheltered coastal waters and adults in depths of around 30 metres.

Food and feeding habits

Feeds on invertebrates living in sand and gravel (crustaceans, molluscs, forams, polychaetes, fish eggs and small fish). Tends to follow fish that interfere with sand movement, such as goatfish, to intercept escaping prey. 

Reproduction

Bidirectional sex change has been confirmed in this species. They show different mating behaviour during reproduction. 

Fishing

Three-spotted wrasse are commercially important in fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.