Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 11.

A small, moderately elongate-bodied wrasse. Anterior head with quite acute profile and terminal mouth. 2 pairs of canine teeth anteriorly in jaws. The first pair of upper jaw strongly projecting, the second 
recurved, and a large canine at corner of mouth. 1 row of small teeth on side jaws. Caudal fin slightly rounded.

Colour: Juveniles white with orange mottling and pair of black spots on dorsal and anal fins. 
Females orange-red with white spots of variable size. A large black area over chest and abdomen ventral patch containing a bright iridescent blue network and spots. 
Males dull orange-red with dark-edged green diagonal bands on head which continue to middle of body where they break up into irregular spots. A large 
light yellow to orange area beneath soft dorsal fin and onto caudal peduncle. A series of blue-edged dark reddish blotches forming an irregular band 
posteriolaterally on body.

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 13.0 cm TL.
 

Inhabits lagoons, shallow coral and rubble reefs, and sheltered seaward reefs (depth 1-30 m). Solitary or in pairs, females sometimes forming small groups. Feeds on small 
benthic invertebrates. Burrows in the sand to avoid predators. 
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not subject to the artisanal fishery.

Photographed off northwest coast of Mahé, Seychelles.

Craig, M.T. (2010). Macropharyngodon bipartitus. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187416A8529512.en. (18/05/23).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2023). FishBase. Macropharyngodon bipartitus. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Macropharyngodon-bipartitus (18/05/23). 
Mason-Parker, C. et al. (2021). Macropharyngodon bipartitus in Reef Fishes of Seychelles. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd, UK 
Smith, J.L.B. & Smith, M.M. (1963). The Fishes of Seychelles. Department of Ichthyology. Rhodes University. Grahamstown.
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Mason-Parker, C. & Nevill, J.E.G. (2023). Macropharyngodon bipartitus, Vermiculate wrasse. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/macropharyngodon-bipartitus-smith-1957/