Gracila albomarginata is moderately common at Kwajalein. We see them mostly on the seaward reef. This species changes drastically in color from juvenile to adult. While the adults are somewhat drab in color and can go unnoticed, it is hard to miss one of the small juveniles popping in and out of holes down next to the reef on the seaward slope. They are bright magenta, which shows up as bright blue in natural light at its typical depth, with bright red on the fins and the upper half of the caudal peduncle. Adults are shown in the first few photos.
Asleep in a small cave at night.
The juvenile color is striking. We do not see juveniles at all most of the time, but every few years there is an influx of larvae settling out. For several months during those times, the juveniles are not especially rare along the seaward slope at depths of about 12 to 20m.
This species seems susceptible to ectoparasites in the genus Lernaeopodidae, two of which are shown attached to the sides of the fish below. We have seen a number of these juveniles so afflicted.
Created 5 April 2017
Updated 5 March 2023