Slingjaw Wrasse
Epibulus insidiator
In its terminal phase, males have a white head and a black body with an orange back.
Photo: John Hoover
Epibulus insidiator
In its initial phase, Papae utu roa is yellow
Photo: John Hoover
Epibulus insidiator
After the initial phase, the fish changes to brown.
Photo: John Hoover
Epibulus insidiator
Its mouth is filled with long jaws that are retractable and can be projected forward into a tune that allow it to suck in prey.
Photo: John Hoover
Epibulus insidiator
Papae utu roa can be found around the external slope, but also in the calm and clear waters of the lagoon.
Photo: John Hoover
Tahitian names
Papae utu roa
Interesting facts
In its initial phases, the fish changes from yellow to brown. In its terminal phase, males have a white head and a black body with an orange back. Its mouth is filled with long jaws that are retractable and can be projected forward into a tune that allow it to suck in prey. We can find this fish around the external slope, but also in the calm and clear waters of the lagoon. It eats small crustaceans and fish.
sources & credits
- Guide des poissons de Tahiti et ses îles, Indo-Pacific Fish conference Tahiti 2017, P. Bachet, T. Zysman, Y. Lefèvre, Au vent des îles
- DORIS - Epibulus insidiator
- FishBase - Epibulus insidiator