COLOR AND PATTERN IN RELATION TO SEXUAL AND AGGRESSIVE-BEHAVIOR IN THE BLUEHEAD WRASSE THALASSOMA-BIFASCIATUM

Terminal phase adult male bluehead wrasse show rapid and frequent chan ges of body colour from bright green to opalescent. Green body colour is associated with aggressive chases of other fish, opalescent with co urting females and spawning and so the body colour gives an indication of the fish's 'intention' over the next few seconds. Pectoral fin spo ts appear during courtship and a hypothesis is suggested for their fun ction.