Black Eared Wrasse

Fresh male specimens reddish brown dorsally, reddish ventrally; head with green bands; upper opercle with a large blue-edged black spot, rimmed with blue and red; 3 succession of spots behind eye. Large females may be similar in color with males but with a black spot on branched caudal rays; smaller ones have 3 black spots on dorsal fin base. Anterior lateral line scales with 2-7 pores, more in larger adults; 9-13 suborbital pores. Pelvic fins reaching or nearly reaching anus in large adults.

Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 25

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Common around patches of rubble or mixed rubble and coral along steep dropoffs (Ref. 1602).

Common around patches of rubble or mixed rubble and coral along steep drop-offs (Ref. 1602) at 10-56 m depth (Ref. 90102). Feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 89972).

aquarium: commercial