Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Julidinae
Etymology: Halichoeres: Greek, als, alis = salt + Greek, choiros = pig (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 25 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical
Western Central Pacific: known only from Indonesia and Philippines.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 18.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2136)
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 25. Live females pinkish anteriorly; a black on each scale except those on thorax and most of the abdomen; head light salmon; a small dark spot behind eye; a broad transverse black band at the middle of the pelvic fins. Head of male greenish with irregular light-red bands; no black band between pelvic fins. Anterior lateral line scales with 1-3 pores; 8-13 suborbital pores. Anterior dorsal and anal soft rays longer than posterior rays; pelvic fins of males reaching the anus. Juveniles recognized by the green tail (Ref. 48636).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
Inhabits outer reef flats and upper slopes of coastal reefs to depths over 25 m (Ref. 9710), with rich coral and hydrozoan growth. Found on sand-rubble fringe, coastal and lagoon reefs at 2-12 m (Ref. 90102). Usually seen solitary (Ref. 48636).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Randall, J.E., 1980. Two new Indo-Pacific labrid fishes of the genus Halichoeres, with notes on other species of the genus. Pac. Sci. 34(4):415-432. (Ref. 2136)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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