Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Relatively small wrasse. Mouth terminal or lower jaw slightly projecting. Females have a rounded caudal fin while males have a rhomboid caudal fin, with 
central rays longest, and dorsal-most caudal-fin ray elongated into a short filament.

Colour: Males are reddish to greenish-brown with irregular brownish bars along the side, a large reddish patch above the pectoral fin, and a blue spot 
at the front of the dorsal fin. Females are brown to reddish-brown with pale and dark flecks and blotches, and indistinct fine white bars along the side. 
Juveniles have a broad, dark mid-lateral stripe that breaks into dark blotches in adults, the largest above the pectoral-fin tip. 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 15.0 cm TL.
 

This species inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs, over rubble or sand, also found in seagrass beds, from (2-110 m). Oviparous. Forms pairs during 
courtship and spawning.

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

Photographed off Northwest Mahé, Seychelles.
 

Bray, D.J. (2020). Oxycheilinus bimaculatus in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/261 (26/09/22). 
Cheilinus bimaculatus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1840, Hist. Nat. Poiss. 14: 96. Type locality: Hawaiian Islands.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/oxycheilinus-bimaculatus (25/09/22).  
Mason-Parker, C. et al. (2021). Oxycheilinus bimaculatus in Reef Fishes of Seychelles. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd, UK.
McGrouther, M. (2021). Little Maori Wrasse, Oxycheilinus bimaculatus. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/little-maori-wrasse-oxycheilinus-bimaculatus/ (26/09/22). 
To, A. et al. (2010). Oxycheilinus bimaculatus. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187523A8557703.en. (25/09/22).

Mason-Parker, C. & Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Oxycheilinus bimaculatus, Two-spot wrasse. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/oxycheilinus-bimaculatus-valenciennes-1840/