Fourline Wrasse

Labroides quadrilineatus

The Fourline Wrasse is a small reef fish, reaching up to 11.5 cm in length. It is characterized by its fusiform body shape and compressed cross section. Juveniles and initial phase individuals display two electric blue stripes along their bodies, with a distinct black ocellus on the posterior dorsal and anal fins. In contrast, terminal phase males are uniformly navy blue with a pale blue boomerang-shaped stripe on their cheek, making them distinguishable from other wrasse species. This species is endemic to the Red Sea basin, including the Gulf of Aqaba and extending southward to the Gulf of Aden. It is typically found in fringing reefs, thriving among coral heads and areas with dense coral growth at depths ranging from 0 to 15 meters. The Fourline Wrasse has a varied diet; adults primarily feed on coral polyps, while juveniles take on the role of cleaners, removing parasites from other fish species such as Pseudanthias squamipinnis and Parupeneus macronemus. The Fourline Wrasse is oviparous, engaging in distinct pairing during breeding. Divers encountering this species can observe its cleaning behavior, particularly among juveniles, which is an interaction to witness. The IUCN has classified this species as Data Deficient.