Hemigymnus melapterus

(Bloch, 1791)

Vernacular names
English : Blackeye thicklip
French : Tamarin vert

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Eupercaria i. s. (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Labridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 37 cm. Thick pointy lips. Juveniles grey, white and black, yellow tail. Females with blue bars on black flank scales and grey cap. Adult males mostly green with dark scale edges and varying amounts of turquoise.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and east Africa to French Polynesia, north to south Japan, south to Lord Howe Island. Lives in coral reefs, reef flats, seaward reefs and drop-offs, to 40 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range where it is widespread and common. It doesn’t seem to suffer from any threats.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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