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Xenojulis margaritacea (Macleay, 1883) Finspot wrasse |
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photo by
Murdy, E.O./Ferraris, C.J., Jr. |
| Family: | Labridae (Wrasses) | |||
| Max. size: | 10 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range - 0 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Pacific: Philippines, New Guinea and Western Australia. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 25-25. Ground color of male body burgundy, becoming paler ventrally; head irregularly striped with green and burgundy; iris yellow. Preserved females pale with 5 irregular, dusky bars on side of body; pelvic fins with 2 black spots. Fin spines pungent. Posterior preopercular margin free dorsally to about level of mouth, ventral margin free anteriorly nearly to a vertical at front edge of orbit. Long pelvic fins: reaching or nearly reaching anus in females; extending posterior to anal fin origin in males. | |||
| Biology: | Found in shallow waters with dense coral growth on coral rubble and sand, also in weedy areas. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2009 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||