The widely-ranging and common species Thalassoma lunare is often bold enough to approach divers and snorkelers if food is being offered.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 27 cm
color
Females dark green, with fine red stripes on sides and red bands on chest and head. Yellow crescent on caudal fin. Males similar but background colour more blue than green.
This species is commonly found on coral and rocky reefs down to a depth of 20 meters. Its diet consists of benthic invertebrates, small fishes, and fish eggs.
distinctive characters
The dorsal fin has 8 spines and 13 rays, the anal fin has 3 spines and 11 rays, the pectoral fin has 15 rays, and the body depth ranges from 3.1 to 3.7 inches in standard length. The caudal fin varies from truncate in juveniles to lunate with filamentous lobes in large males.