Xanthichthys auromarginatus lives on seaward reef slopes, usually 20m and deeper here at Kwajalein. They are common, but do not obviously group together when they rise up off the bottom to feed on plankton. When approached, they sink to the reef, hovering in front of their holes, and dive into them if threatened. This species shows sexual dimorphism in coloration, the males with a blue "throat" patch and yellow fringes on the second dorsal, anal and tail fins, and the females lacking the blue throat and with a black fringe to the tail.
A male and female hover over their hole as the photographer approaches.
Created 21 May 2012