Species
Slippery Dick
Halichoeres bivittatusSlippery dicks are energetic, inquisitive wrasses renowned for their ability to slip through a handler's fingers thanks to a thick coat of protective mucus. They start life as mottled green or white juveniles before transitioning through initial and terminal sexual phases, with dominant terminal males sporting vibrant green, pink, and yellow bands. At dusk or when startled, individuals rapidly dive beneath loose sand where they sleep buried until dawn.
MarineReef DwellerDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyHermit Crabs, Sea Urchins, Polychaete Worms
Predators
- Nassau Grouper
- Great Barracuda
- Yellowfin Grouper
ThreatsCoastal development and localized reef habitat loss
HabitatsCoral reefs, rocky bottoms, and seagrass meadows
Life span3–5 years
Classification
- FamilyLabridae
- SpeciesHalichoeres bivittatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Float quietly over shallow patch reefs or turtle grass beds to watch them rummage through sediment.
- Sand diving: Avoid chasing them toward the seabed, as sudden disturbances cause them to vanish into sand pockets.
Predator Hectonichus / CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Close Relative (c) Pauline Walsh Jacobson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pauline Walsh Jacobson · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Same Family (c) Pauline Walsh Jacobson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pauline Walsh Jacobson · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.