Description

The Stethojulis bandanensis, of the order of Perciformes and family Labridae is commonly known as the Orange-axil wrasse, Red shoulder wrasse, Red-spot rainbowfish, or Red-spot wrasse. This species has a distinct reddish spot above the pectoral fin base  throughout its life cycle. It has total of 9 dorsal spines, 11 to 12 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines and 11 anal soft rays^[1]. Males in their terminal phase of life are olive brown on the upper body and pale on the lower body, separated by a blue stripe. There is also a thin blue stripe that runs from the eye along the dorsal fin base and upper part of the tail. There are two blue stripes on the anterior part of the body and blue stripes on the head. A yellow patch is present on the cheek.  Adult females in their initial phase are greyish with numerous small white spots all over the upper body. There is a light patch on each scale on the lower part of the body which looks like a cross-hatched pattern and also has two small ocelli in the mid-section of its tail base. Juveniles possess a small ocellus (eye-spot) on the rear of the dorsal fin and tail base^[2].