Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 4 - 55 m (Ref. 30874). Tropical; 32°N - 32°S
Western Pacific: Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to Scott Reef (eastern Indian Ocean) and Lord Howe Island. Uncommon around oceanic islands (Ref. 9710).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 19.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710); max. reported age: 6 years (Ref. 11318)
Dorsal spines (total): 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 16 - 17. Overall black with an elongate vertical black blotch on the middle of the upper sides. When small, mainly black with a white bar; the white bar changes to a central blotch and varies greatly in shape and size (Ref. 48636). Dorsal and anal fins with submarginal blue line; most of the pelvic and the anterior portion of the anal fin yellow. Caudal fin with submarginal blue line (Ref. 1602). Body depth 1.8-2.0 in SL. Scales longitudinal series 45-48 (Ref. 90102).
Relatively uncommon in mixed coral and rubble areas of lagoon and seaward reefs. The largest member of the genus (Ref. 1602). Feeds mainly on algae. Forms harems of 3-7 individuals. Frequently exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Sex reversal is completed in 29-35 days (Ref. 34253).
Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 24.5 - 29, mean 28.1 °C (based on 884 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.03631 (0.02001 - 0.06587), b=2.85 (2.69 - 3.01), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.8 ±0.35 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 67.1 [34.1, 106.2] mg/100g; Iron = 0.602 [0.372, 0.980] mg/100g; Protein = 18.2 [17.0, 19.3] %; Omega3 = 0.109 [0.069, 0.172] g/100g; Selenium = 28.9 [16.3, 52.2] μg/100g; VitaminA = 83.2 [22.8, 285.7] μg/100g; Zinc = 1.48 [1.03, 2.10] mg/100g (wet weight);
