| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae |
| Max. size: |
16.4 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 120 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan, south to Vanuatu. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Body variable from brown to yellow or green mixed with various color shades or spots. Males develop long filaments on the caudal fin (Ref. 48636). Young with a broad, dark lateral stripe which breaks into dark blotches in adults, the largest above distal pectoral fins. A small dark spot behind eye. Mouth terminal or lower jaw slightly projecting. Caudal fin of terminal males rhomboid, with central rays longest, and dorsalmost caudal-fin ray elongated into a short filament. A small species (reaching about 14 cm) (Ref 9823). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits outer reef slopes or deep clear lagoons among rubble or clumps of algae; also in seagrass beds (Ref. 1602, 41878, 58302). Often in sheltered estuaries and harbors (Ref. 48636). Benthic and benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 July 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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