| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Xyrichtyinae |
| Max. size: |
24 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 12 - 92 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Chagos Islands to the Hawaiian Islands, north to the Ryukyus; Marianas and Marshalls in Micronesia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Pale, usually showing 4 bars on the body and spots on the head when small. Faint or no vertical bar below eye (Ref. 48636). |
| Biology: |
Lives on open, clean, sandy areas of lagoon and seaward slopes (Ref. 9710, 37816). Benthic and benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Dives into sand to sleep safely at night or to hide when alarmed (Ref. 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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