Bluehead Wrasse Identification Guide
Spot this common Caribbean wrasse across its very different color phases, from plain yellow females to blue-headed terminal males.
Read the full Bluehead Wrasse encyclopedia entry →
Key identification features
- Elongated, torpedo-shaped body typical of wrasses, usually under 15 cm
- Terminal-phase males show a vivid blue head, a black-and-white double bar just behind the head, and a green body
- Initial-phase fish (females and some males) are yellow on the upper body and white below, sometimes with a dark stripe along the side
- Juveniles are often bright solid yellow with a thin black lateral line
- Constant swimming with jerky pectoral-fin strokes rather than tail-driven motion
Common look-alikes
- Other small Caribbean wrasses in yellow phase, such as juvenile clown wrasse: distinguish by the bluehead's thin black stripe running the length of the body versus broken markings in similar species
- Terminal-phase clown wrasse: also colorful, but lacks the sharp black-and-white collar bars behind the blue head that mark a terminal bluehead
- Damselfish in yellow coloration: bluehead has a more elongated wrasse body and pointed snout versus the deeper, rounder damselfish body
Where you'll see one
Common over shallow coral reefs, seagrass beds, and rubble zones throughout the Caribbean and western Atlantic, often in large mixed-phase groups near cleaning stations.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recognize a terminal-phase male bluehead wrasse?
Look for a bright blue head, a black-and-white double bar just behind the head, and a green body; this coloration only appears in the largest, dominant males.
How do I tell initial-phase blueheads from juveniles of other wrasses?
Initial-phase blueheads are yellow above and white below with a thin black lateral stripe, a simpler pattern than the blotched or barred juveniles of most other Caribbean wrasses.