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Fish

Slingjaw wrasse

Epibulus insidiator

In its terminal phase, males have a white head and a black body with an orange back.
Photo: John Hoover

Its mouth shoots forwards into a tube, bringing a small fish or crustacean within reach in an instant.

Local names
Papae utu roa

About this species

Long, highly mobile jaws extend forwards and form a tube that draws prey into the mouth. Small fish and crustaceans are caught this way.

Initial-phase fish range from brown to bright yellow and have a rounded forehead. Terminal-phase males have a pale head, a dark body and an orange back. The species occurs on outer reef slopes and in calm, clear lagoon water.

In its initial phase, Papae utu roa is yellow
Photo: John Hoover
Slingjaw wrasse in its brown initial colour phase
Photo: John Hoover
Its mouth is filled with long jaws that are retractable and can be projected forward into a tune that allow it to suck in prey.
Photo: John Hoover
Papae utu roa can be found around the external slope, but also in the calm and clear waters of the lagoon.
Photo: John Hoover

DORIS - Epibulus insidiator
FishBase - Epibulus insidiator