Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Pseudolabrinae
Eponymy: Dr Anthony Michael Ayling (d: 1947) is a well-known Australian marine biologist. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 100 m. Subtropical; 25°S - 48°S, 140°E - 178°W
Southwest Pacific: southeastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania) and northeastern New Zealand.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 11.7 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 530); 8.6 cm SL (female)
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10; Vertebrae: 25. Initial phase color: body red-orange above, paler posteriorly; with a white-bordered black ocellus at the base of the 9th and 10th dorsal rays. Terminal phase color: body deep crimson, paler below; pearly white stripe running from corner of mouth to caudal fin base; head with six bright blue lines. Predorsal scales 4 (3-5). Cheek scale 1 row behind the eye; 2 rows below eye. No scaly sheath at the base of dorsal and anal fins. Scales large. Pectoral fin with two rudimentary dorsalmost rays.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
Occurs in sand patches adjacent to reef areas in shallow waters. The species is a facultative cleaner symbiont, removing parasites and damaged scales and skin from other fishes; also feeds on small crustaceans from the bottom and from seaweed fronds.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Russell, B.C., 1985. Revision of the Indo-Pacific labrid fish genus Suezichthys, with descriptions of four new species. Indo-Pac. Fish. (2):21 p. (Ref. 530)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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