Blackback Wrasse

Anampses neoguinaicus

The Blackback Wrasse, also known as the New Guinea wrasse, is a reef-associated fish found in the western Pacific Ocean, from the Philippines and Taiwan to Fiji, and as far south as the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. It has also been recently recorded in Tonga. This species can grow up to 20 cm in length. Males and females exhibit distinct coloration patterns. Females are black dorsally with blue spots, transitioning to yellowish white on the sides and white ventrally, while males are blackish with light blue dots and light yellowish green shading. The head of the male is dark reddish with blue bands, and the anal fins display longitudinal bands on an orange zone. The Blackback Wrasse inhabits shallow coral reefs at depths ranging from 4 to 30 meters, often found in areas with sand and rubble, as well as along upper slopes and reef crests with Acropora corals. They are typically seen in small, loose groups of females with a dominant male nearby, while juveniles are more solitary. Their diet consists of benthic invertebrates, and they are known to be oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding. Divers may encounter the Blackback Wrasse in its natural habitat, where it is harmless to humans. Although it is occasionally seen in fish markets and the aquarium trade, its conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.