Hemigymnus melapterus (Bloch, 1791)
Blackeye thicklip wrasse or Racoon wrasse (juveniles), 37cm

These are moderately common on seaward, lagoon and pinnacle reefs. They feed by taking in a mouthful of sand or debris, chewing it for a bit, then spitting it out in the water column, where they examine the fragments for any food they missed.

Spitting out a mouthful of sand.

Terminal males.

Young individual.

Juvenile, often called Raccoon wrasse.

Even younger juveniles.

Created 26 May 2014
Updated 19 June 2021

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