Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m (Ref. 52855). Tropical
Western Central Atlantic: western Caribbean.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Dorsal spines (total): 21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 37; Anal spines: 2. Common amongst Labrisomids: small, often elongate fishes; largest species about 20 cm standard length, most under 10 cm standard length. 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; all fin rays, including those of caudal, unbranched (simple). Cycloid (smooth to touch) scales present at least posteriorly on body. Species distinguished by: dorsal-fin spines usually 21, and 7 to 37 segmented rays; pelvic fin with 2 externally obvious segmented rays; pectoral-fin rays usually 14; pectoral-fin rays not elongated or filamentous; first anal-fin spine of males longer than second; lateral-line tubes or canals present at least anteriorly on body; scales in lateral-line series usually 35 to 41 (some species with fewer); arched lateral-line scales usually 17 or 18, scales in straight portion of lateral line usually 20 to 22; only 1 or no cirrus on each side of nape; cirrus present on anterior nostril; a simple cirrus present above each eye; belly naked or with less than posterior third scaled. Body coloration: body generally brownish with darker spots, blotches, or broken bars; pair of broad, hypural-shaped dark blotches not present at base of caudal fin; lips with distinct black vertical bars; side of head spotted; broad, pale area posterior to orbit either reticulated or branched over preopercle; side of head with pale Y-shaped bar (Ref.52855).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Randall, J.E., 1996. Caribbean reef fishes. Third Edition - revised and enlarged. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd., Hong Kong. 3nd ed. 368 p. (Ref. 13442)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 27.5 - 28.5, mean 28 °C (based on 128 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00490 (0.00196 - 0.01224), b=3.09 (2.87 - 3.31), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
