| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses) |
| Max. size: |
15 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 35 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Similan Islands, Andaman Sea and Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean; Kranket Islands, Madang, New Guinea; off Manado and Celebes (Indonesia); Concoro Islands, Cuyo Islands, Philippines, and the Solomon Islands (Ref. 2139). Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Palau, and the Great Barrier Reef (Ref. 9823). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 25-25. Emarginate caudal fin become lunate in males; 2-6 soft dorsal rays of males greatly prolonged (the odd-numbered rays beginning with the first); may be slightly prolonged in females (not so in Philippine adult females); non filamentous rays approximately equal in length (Ref. 2139). Tubed peduncular scales 5.9; side of body with four or five narrow red to blue stripes, only the first and third extending full length of body (Ref. 41634). |
| Biology: |
This group may consist of several different species and genetic studies are required (Ref. 90102). Found in rubble areas in passages and outer reef slopes. Also occurs in lagoons. Feeds on zooplankton and other benthic invertebrates. Occurs in small to large groups of mix sexes but females outnumber males greatly. Some geographical variations of nuptial males that are influenced by the presence of similar species. Males readily display to each other or to females to spawn by flashing their colors and 'racing' past with erected fins. Hybridizes with several other species, and are most colorful where other similar species occur in the same area (Ref. 48636). At 15 cm SL, this could well be the largest species of the genus so far (CB). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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