Phases: Slippery Dicks have three phases. In the juvenile phase, they are white and a distinct black lateral stripe stretching from the top of the snout through the eye to the tail. The second stage is the initial phase where they are usually white to grayish color with a lateral pink to light red stripe replacing the black stripe of the juvenile stage. They now have second stripe that runs parallel to the first that runs through the gills. In the final terminal phases, they turn green with darker stripes that can be broken giving it a beaded look.

Markings: colorfully striped, usually two with one running from the tail though its eye and the other is located a little lower running through its gills. Juveniles may only have one and its stripe is usually black.

Habitat: Around coral reefs in the Epipelagic zone, between 1m-15m in depth. It feeds close to sandy bottom areas around coral heads and can also be found in grass beds. They are always in constant motion and are not shy.

Reproduction: They are hermaphrodites, meaning that they start out their lives as females and can change their sexes for mating. They tend to spawn in the middle of the day in sunlight. The larvae are pelagic and live in the water column until they reach their larger juvenile stage.

Personal Interest: I saw its funny name and wanted to learn why it was named the way it was and learned that it’s a neat fish with unique markings and an unmistakable swimming pattern.