| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Julidinae |
| Max. size: |
15 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: east Africa to Pitcairn (Fr. Polynesia); not in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Hawaiian Is. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D X-IX,10-11; A III,9-11; pectoral-fin rays 13; procurrent caudal-fin rays upper 6-8 and lower 7-8; principal caudal-fin rays 7-8 + 7; circumpeduncular scales 20-22; body depth 3.7-5.1 in SL; head length 2.6-3.0 in SL; snout length 2.6-3.3 in HL; orbit diameter 5.2-7.1 in HL; orbit diameter in snout length 1.6-2.5; caudal-peduncle length 3.3-4.9 in HL; pored lateral-line scales 26-29; scale rows above lateral line 4-5, below lateral line 9-11; total gill rakers 12-13. Colouration: head and anterior body indigo to deep navy blue (silvery white to pale grey in IP); head with a horizontal stripe from upper lip to about vertical of anal-fin origin (highly attenuated or absent in TP); posterior body is yellowish green; caudal fin with black crescentic margin (Ref. 138889). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs to at least 40 m. Territorial around prominent coral formations called 'cleaning stations' (Ref. 9710). Juveniles generally solitary and quite secretive in caves while adults may wander over a large area in search of other fishes with ectoparasites (Ref. 9710). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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