Common Name: Double Header

Distribution: Adults rare in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Limited range on the east coast of Australia including Lord Howe Is, Norfolk Is, Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs.

Ecological Notes: Frequents offshore coastal reefs and lagoons, usually to 8 or 10 m, occasionally 20 m depth.

Additional Notes: The two top photos show juveniles approximately 12 cm, centre photo around 25 mm, large sub adult approximately 40 cm long, at bottom. Small juveniles similar to juvenile Bodianus axillaris, but it has white lips and the white spots are towards the ventral and dorsal edges rather than centrally on the body of C. bulbifrons. Adults markedly different, blue colouration with males developing large fleshy hump above the eyes. Feeds on benthic crustaceans and gastropods. Grows to at least 60 cm. 

References: R. Stuart-Smith, G. Edgar, A. Green, I. Shaw, Tropical Marine Fishes of Australia. Reed New Holland Publishers, 2015. p.303.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=coris+bulbifrons. Accessed 23/05/18.