| Family: |
Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Plectorhinchinae |
| Max. size: |
41 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 6 - 70 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Singapore and the Philippines to the Solomon Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-21; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: chin with 6 pores, no median pit; gill rakers on first gill arch 9-12 + 1 + 18-21 = 28-33; D XIII,18-21, 3rd-5th spines longest; lips fleshy, moderately swollen with age; scales ctenoid (rough to touch); lateral line tubed scales about 53-58; body depth 2.7-2.8 in SL; caudal rounded or lanceolate in juveniles, becoming truncate or emarginate in adults. Colour of body and head bright blue-green to sky blue with 5 to 7 bright yellow longitudinal bands often separated by thinner yellow bands or lines of spots; fins bright yellow to orange; juveniles similar to adults, but with fewer bands (Ref. 47695, 90102). |
| Biology: |
In coastal reef slopes, inner reefs and deep lagoon (Ref. 48635). Prefers sheltered reefs and during the day either solitary or in large inactive aggregations (Ref. 34765). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 April 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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