Blackeye thicklip (Hemigymnus melapterus)

Scientific name: Hemigymnus melapterus Bloch, 1791

The Blackeye thicklip (Hemigymnus melapterus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea and East Africa to Micronesia, Samoa, and Polynesia.

Blackeye thicklip care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. Lips thick with age. Color varies drastically with age and sex. Juveniles and sub adults are almost white anteriorly and abruptly dark green and black posteriorly; those under about 8 cm have a bright yellow tail which slowly fades with growth. The colorful pink and blue facial markings around the eyes of juveniles spreads with growth to cover nearly the entire head of large adults.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Hemigymnus melapterus
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 90.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 1–30 m (3–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m, usually 5 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Micronesia, Samoa, and Polynesia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)