LABRIDAE Wrasses
Wrasses come in a multitude of shapes, colours and sizes, from the small cleaner wrasse and lunar-tailed wrasse, to the large broomtail wrasse, which, as its name implies, has a large brush-like tail with ragged, split ends. They can often be seen on inshore coral reefs, especially around Khorfakkan on the east coast.
Broomtail wrasse Cheilinus lunulatus
Distinctive filamentous caudal fin, blunt head, sharp incisor teeth. Dark green dorsally with dark double vertical bars on body. Small scattered orange dots on head, bright orange-yellow blotch and smaller spots on gill cover. Bright orange on pectoral fins. As with many of the wrasses, there are marked colour differences between males and females. The above description refers to the more prominent male, whilst females are smaller and drabber. On inshore coral reefs. Feeds on crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates. 50 cm.