Cigar Wrasse

The cigar wrasse, Cheilio inermis, is a species of wrasse that is indigenous to the Indo-Pacific region, including the 🌊 Red Sea. Primarily inhabiting tropical reefs, this species can be found at depths of up to 30 m (98 ft). Their preferred habitats include seagrass beds, algae-covered flats, and occasionally lagoon and seaward reefs, where they can be found at depths of at least 30 m. This species is known to be mostly solitary in nature.

The diet of the cigar wrasse consists of crustaceans, molluscs, sea urchins, and other hard-shelled prey. On average, these fish grow to a length of 35 cm (14 in), though they can reach sizes of up to 50 cm (20 in). Juvenile specimens often display a mottled brown or green coloration, sometimes with a wide lateral stripe, while rare individuals may appear uniformly yellow. Large males have the potential to develop vibrant patches of yellow, orange, black, white, or even multicolored hues on their sides, just behind their pectoral fins.