Threespot Wrasse

Pteragogus trispilus is a marine ray-finned fish species belonging to the Labridae family, commonly known as the wrasse family. This species is indigenous to the 🌊 Red Sea and has subsequently expanded its range into the Mediterranean Sea.

Pteragogus trispilus features a compressed body covered by cycloid scales. The species possesses a terminal mouth, with jaws that extend to the rear of the pupil. Notably, the front of the jaws is equipped with two pairs of large, recurved caniform teeth, with the second pair being large and straight. The dorsal fin comprises 11 spines and 9 soft rays, while the anal fin consists of 3 spines and 9 soft rays. The caudal fin is rounded and moderately elongated, and the pelvic fin has a lengthened first ray. In its fresh state, the fish displays an olivaceous coloration, with white-edged scales. A distinct oblique elliptic black spot with wide yellow margins is present on the gill cover. Additionally, a vertical white streak appears on each side of the rear edge of the preoperculum, alongside a scattering of small black spots on the nape and behind the eye. The pupil is encircled by orange pigment, while the iris is characterized by seven dark lines radiating from the pupil. The species' lateral line is marked by black dots and dashes, as well as white dots. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are also olivaceous, featuring white dots on their rays and slanting white lines on their spiny sections. In males, the lower part of the head and the rear of the gill cover exhibit a suffusion of orange. Occasionally, females may display a whitish stripe running from the front of the snout to the upper part of the caudal peduncle, widening to the diameter of the pupil below the lateral line. Horizontal rows of white spots and faint orange spots may also appear on the body, behind the base of the pectoral fins. Each of the first three membranes between the anterior spines of the dorsal fin in males has a black spot, while females typically possess two such spots, with a potential faint third spot. A specimen from 🇹🇷 Turkey, observed in 2019, was predominantly light brown-reddish in color. This species of wrasse is relatively small, with the largest males reaching a total length of 7.9 cm.

The species' distribution includes the 🌊 Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez. It was first recorded in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of 🇮🇱 Israel in 1992, following its migration through the Suez Canal (🇪🇬 Egypt). Currently, it is frequently encountered in Levantine waters.

Pteragogus trispilus typically inhabits areas with substrates composed of sand, interspersed with detached clumps of brown algae, small coral patches, and rocks. Its diet includes foraminifera, small gastropods, and crustaceans, such as small crabs and moderately large shrimp, highlighting a non-exclusive preference for significantly sized prey items.