Halichoeres poeyi (Steindachner, 1867)

Halichoeres poeyi, commonly called the blackear wrasse, has a relatively long, thin body, a large eye, and a pointed snout ending in a terminal mouth that holds protruding canine-like teeth.

Pectoral Fin Trait

Its pectoral fins extend all the way to the vent.

Head and Body Markings

The species has wide pink bands and a narrow blue stripe across its head and tail, and it has a dark spot behind the eye that gives the fish its common name. The background color of both the head and body is olive, and each scale is outlined with pinkish-red.

Fin Coloration

The margin of the dorsal fin is blue and orange, while the caudal fin is dull yellow marked with diagonally converging blue and rose lines.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males and females have similar patterns, but males grow larger than females.

Additional Spine Spot

There is an additional black spot on the spine close to the origin of the dorsal fin.

Fin Structure

The dorsal fin is made up of 9 spines and 11 soft rays, and the anal fin has 3 spines and 12 soft rays.

Maximum Size

The maximum recorded total length of Halichoeres poeyi is around 20 cm (7.9 in).

Distribution Range

The blackear wrasse is distributed in the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from southern Florida and the Bahamas south to Santa Catarina in southern Brazil.

Commercial Relevance

Due to its small size, this species is generally of little interest to commercial fisheries, but it is traded in the aquarium hobby.

Brazilian Trade Quota

In Brazil, companies that catch this species for the aquarium trade have been subject to a quota since 2004, which is set at 1,000 fish per year per company.