| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Julidinae |
| Max. size: |
12 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 122 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaiian Is., Midway Atoll, Johnston Atoll. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-10; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IX,11; A III,10; pectoral-fin rays 13-14; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6, lower 7; principal caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; circumpeduncular scales 18-20; body depth 3.3-4.5 in SL; head length 2.9-3.1 in SL; snout length 3.0-3.7 in HL; orbit diameter 3.9-5.1 in HL; orbit diameter 1.2-1.5 in snout length; caudal-peduncle length 2.4-3.9 in HL; pored lateral-line scales 25-29; scale rows above lateral line 3, below lateral line 9-10; total gill rakers 12-14. Colouration: head and anterior body bright yellow with a median lateral black stripe constricted to about origin of anal fin, expanding past this point toward outer edge of caudal fin; upper and lowermost edge of caudal fin magenta (Ref, 138889). |
| Biology: |
Adults are found in most coral reef habitats except in the surge zone (Ref. 9710); maximum depth of occurrence at 122 m in Johnston Atoll and Hawaiian Is. (Ref. 138889). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Obligate cleaner (Ref. 9710), picks parasitic crustaceans from other fishes; client fish include Triaenodon obesus (Ref. 138889). Monogamous (Ref. 52884). They swim with a dancing-flitting motion. Adults spend the night resting in a balloon-like mucous cocoon. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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