Broomtail wrasse

Broomtail - Prachtlippfisch ( Cheilinus lunulatus )

The broom tail Prachtlippfisch ( Cheilinus lunulatus ) lives endemic in the coral reefs of the Red Sea at depths of 2-30 meters. In the Indo-Pacific it is replaced by the trident - Prachtlippfisch ( Cheilinus trilobatus ), with which it is closely related.

Features

It is similar in shape to a beefy grouper. Broom tail wrasse are 45 to 50 inches long. They are distinctive because of their large, with extended fin rays provided the tail fin and the scharzgelben, ear-like spot on the posterior operculum. In adult animals, the head, the pectoral fin is bright green, yellow, the mouth, the edges of dorsal, ventral and anal fins, and the entire tail fin blue.

Way of life

The broom tail Prachtlippfisch inhabits coral reefs, the adjacent gravel and sand areas and seagrass beds. The fish eat hard-shelled invertebrates, especially mollusks.