Common Name: Snakeskin Wrasse

Distribution: Abundant in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed throughout the Eastern Indian Ocean, from Western Australia to New South Wales. In Australia recorded from New South Wales and south Western Australia with populations in South Australia and Victoria, including Bass Strait Islands.

Ecological Notes: Frequents shallow coastal bays to deep offshore reefs particularly sandy reef areas with patches of algae. Depth to 40 m.

Additional Notes: Grey or brown to dark green on back, white or yellow below, sometimes with five or six vertical dark bands. Usually in small groups, sometimes with adults and juveniles. Unusual swimming habit on its side with head in a semi-upright position. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. Grows to 12.5 cm.

References: Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coasts, edited by Martin Gomon, Diane Bray and Rudie Kuiter. Reed New Holland, Publishers, 2008. p.248.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. https://fishbase.ca/summary/Eupetrichthys-angustipes.html. Accessed 26/05/18.