| Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Julidinae |
| 11.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 15 m |
| Eastern Indian Ocean: endemic to the Red Sea basin, including the Gulf of Aqaba, extending southward to the Gulf of Aden, but not beyond into the wider Indian Ocean; photographed in the Gulf of Tadjoura off Djibouti. |
|
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; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6-7, lower 7-8; principal caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; circumpeduncular scales 22-24; body depth 3.4-3.8 in SL; head length 2.6-3.3 in SL; snout length 2.4-4.2 in HL; orbit diameter 2.5-5.5 in HL; orbit diameter 0.6-1.9 in snout length; caudal-peduncle length 1.6-5.1 in HL; pored lateral-line scales 27-28; scale rows above lateral line 4-5, below lateral line 10-12; total gill rakers 12-14; lower lip U-shaped, its anterior margin ventrally furled, occasionally split medially; inner surface of upper and lower lips plicate. Colouration: juveniles and Initial phase with two electric blue stripes, posterior dorsal and anal fins with a conspicuous black ocellus; Terminal phase males uniformly navy blue with pale blue boomerang shaped stripe on cheek (Ref. 138889). |
| Occurs in fringing reefs, among coral heads and in areas with dense coral growth (Ref. 9710). Adults feed on coral polyps while juveniles act as cleaners of other fishes (Ref. 8883); client fish include Pseudanthias squamipinnis, Parupeneus macronemus (Ref. 138889). |
|
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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