Yellowhead wrasse

Many wrasse species pass through a variety of color phases before reaching the terminal phase. This species goes through a largely yellow juvenile phase (with a blue mid-body stripe), to an initial phase with a dark head and back, with a wide yellow mid-body stripe, to a yellow-headed fish with striking facial markings and color bands on its body.

These photos are of terminal phase yellowhead wrasse.  The fish were about 5 inches long, and the photos were taken at a depth of 40 to 50 feet.

This species is constantly swimming around reef structures.

This particular fish looks like it had a rough night. We often see fish that have bite marks, or look diseased.  It's a fish eat fish world down here.  Only the strong survive.