| Family: |
Labrisomidae (Labrisomids) |
| Max. size: |
7.6 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 7 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Florida (USA), Bahamas, and Cuba south through the Antillean chain. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 18-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-37; Anal spines: 2-2. Common amongst Labrisomids: small, often elongate fishes; largest species about 20 cm SL, most under 10 cm SL. Head usually with cirri or fleshy flaps on anterior nostrils, eyes, and laterally on nape; gill membranes continuous with each other across posteroventral surface of head. Each jaw with an outer row of relatively large, canine-like or incisor-like teeth, often with patches of smaller teeth behind; teeth usually also present on vomer and often on palatines (roof of mouth). Dorsal and anal fins long, frequently highest anteriorly; dorsal-fin spines often flexible, outnumbering segmented dorsal-fin soft rays; 2 usually flexible spines in anal fin; pelvic fins inserted anterior to pectoral-fin bases, with 1 spine not visible externally and only 2 or 3 segmented rays; all fin rays, including those of caudal, unbranched (simple). Cycloid (smooth to touch) scales present at least posteriorly on body. Body coloration: varying from drab to brilliant hues; usually with irregular vertical bands, spots, or marbled pattern. Species distinguished by: dorsal fin consisting of spines usually 18 and 7 to 37 segmented rays; pectoral-fin rays usually 14; pelvic-fin soft rays 3 (innermost ray may be reduced in length and folded over middle ray); scales in lateral-line series 40 to 69 (some scales in posterior portion of lateral line may lack sensory tubes, but are included in count); total nasal cirri (both sides) usually more than 7; two or more cirri on each side of nape just anterior to dorsal-fin origin; combination of conspicuous dark spot on anterior dorsal-fin spines and a dark ocellus extending from bases of posterior dorsal-fin spines onto dorsal contour of body not present; no small teeth behind large teeth in outer row; pectoral-fin base scales, when present, smaller than those on body; length of shortest pelvic-fin ray (third ray very difficult to see) contained fewer than 4 times in length of longest ray; maxillary bone sheathed; teeth absent on palatines (Ref.52855). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits shallow sandy and rocky areas of coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Feed on copepods, amphipods, delicate algae and occasionally of eggs of Abudefduf (Ref. 5521). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 October 2007 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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