Allen's Tubelip

Labropsis alleni

Allen's Tubelip is a small reef fish found in the tropical waters of the Western Central Pacific, including regions such as Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Palau, and the Marshall Islands. It inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs, preferring areas with dense coral growth and steep slopes. Divers can spot this species at depths ranging from 4 to 52 meters. This fish reaches a maximum length of 10 cm and has a fusiform, compressed body shape. Males can be distinguished from females by the absence of a dark spot above the origin of the anal fin and the presence of one or two narrow dark stripes on the anterior body. The posterior caudal peduncle and fin are white, and the dorsal and anal fins have specific spine and ray counts that aid in identification. Allen's Tubelip is known to feed primarily on coral polyps, and juveniles play a role in cleaning other fishes. It is an oviparous species, engaging in distinct pairing during breeding. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as Least Concern. Divers may encounter this species either solitary or in pairs, often in coral environments.