Both Diploprion bifasciatum and the related Grammistes sexlineatus are relatively uncommon in the Maldives, but neither can be described as rare. They were previously recorded under the family Grammistidae.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 25 cm
color
Light yellow with two dark brown bars crossing body, one through eye and the other across hind part of body but curving forward to include spiny dorsal.
When under stress, a species of coral reef secretes the skin toxin grammistin.
distinctive characters
This species has a dorsal fin with 8 spines and 13-16 rays, an anal fin usually with 2 spines and 12-13 rays, and a pectoral fin with 17-18 rays. Its body is oblong and compressed, with a depth of 2.0-2.4 in standard length, and its pelvic fins are very long, reaching beyond the spinous portion of the anal fin. Additionally, its preopercular margin is coarsely serrate.