Psychedelic Wrasse

Anampses chrysocephalus

The psychedelic wrasse (Anampses chrysocephalus) is a stunningly colored wrasse endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Males reach 15-18 cm and display one of the most remarkable color patterns in the reef fish world: a dark body covered in brilliant white spots and lines creating a psychedelic pattern, with a vivid orange-red head and matching red tail. Females (known as redtail tamarin wrasse) display a more subdued dark brown body with white spots and an orange-red tail. They inhabit coral reefs and rubble areas at depths of 5-40 meters. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, with dominant females transitioning to the spectacularly colored male form. They feed on small benthic invertebrates picked from reef surfaces. Their extreme beauty has made them one of the most sought-after aquarium fish, leading to collection pressure. For divers, encountering a male psychedelic wrasse on a Hawaiian reef is a highlight, as their unique color pattern is unlike any other fish species.