---
title: Mental Wrasse (Oxycheilinus mentalis)
scientific_name: Oxycheilinus mentalis
common_name: Mental Wrasse
taxon: Wrasse
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-10-28T13:17:56.482Z
updated: 2025-11-25T13:58:09.000Z
tags: Mental Wrasse, Oxycheilinus mentalis, Wrasse, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/wrasse/mental-wrasse
---

# Mental Wrasse (*Oxycheilinus mentalis*)

**Taxon:** Wrasse (*Labridae*)  
**Conservation Status:** LC - Least Concern  


Oxycheilinus mentalis, commonly referred to as the mental wrasse, is a species of wrasse located in the Western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Notably, this species exhibits the ability to alter its coloration to resemble that of non-predatory parrotfish and surgeonfish. By doing so, it associates with these benign model species, enabling it to effectively prey upon unsuspecting fish. This behavior exemplifies a sophisticated form of aggressive mimicry. In the absence of a model species, the mental wrasse typically displays a reddish-pink coloration.

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*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/wrasse/mental-wrasse)*
*Updated: November 25, 2025*