Labridae

bluespotted wrasse

Anampses caeruleopunctatus

A close relative takes its place inside Hawaii

• Blue
• Tropical
• Transcontinental
• Marine fish
• Pacific Ocean
• Africa
• East Asia
• Oceania
• Fusiform
• Compressed cross-section
• Medium
• Tropical fish

The blue-spotted wrasse (Anampses caeruleopunctatus) is a species of wrasse found from the Atlantic coast of South Africa through the Indian Ocean to Japan and Australia east to Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean (though absent from Hawaii). This species is found at depths from 3 to 30 m (9.8 to 98.4 ft), with the adults preferring the surge zone on coral reefs or along rocky coastlines. Juveniles orient their bodies and move in such a way as to resemble floating leaves.