| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae |
| Max. size: |
9.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 67 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea; then from Indonesia to Samoa, north to the Philippines and Micronesia, south to the Great Barrier Reef. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Has 10 dorsal spines, lacks distinct vertical barring or longitudinal lines, and has yellow or reddish edged ocellus on the gill cover. First 3 dorsal fin spines elongated in adults (Ref. 48636). |
| Biology: |
A secretive species occurring on coral reefs where it hides among soft corals and benthic algae. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Rarely found in the aquarium trade (Ref. 2334). Population from Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea may be different species from fishes from the Pacific; genetic studies are needed (Ref. 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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