Max length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9137); 30 cm TL (female)
Environment
Reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m (Ref. 37816)
Climate / Range
Tropical; 30°N - 28°S
Pacific Ocean: Cocos (Ref. 9399) and Christmas (Ref. 30874) islands in the eastern Indian Ocean; then from Moluccas to the Tuamoto and Austral islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Shark Bay and the southern Great Barrier Reef and Rapa. Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsalspines
(total): 9;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 10 - 10;
Analspines: 3;
Analsoft rays: 9. Scales large. 4 median predorsal scales; 2 scale rows on cheek. Caudal fin slightly rounded in initial phase, retained in terminal males with protruding lobes giving a double emarginate effect. Lips cover or nearly cover dental plates. Initial-phase fish without canines; terminal males usually with 1 upper canine and 2 on lower. The initial phase is characterized by a series of irregular dark chevrons which may be difficult to see on dark individuals (Ref. 1602). The basic color may range from a pale gray to a deep mahogany (Ref. 1602). Large initial phase fish develop the dark greenish markings around the lip found in the terminal phase (Ref. 1602).
Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs from 1 to over 50 m depth. Adults are common in areas with rich coral and high vertical relief (Ref. 9710, 48636). Juveniles may school with other species. Form feeding aggregations on rubble and mixed rubble-coral slopes rather than on flats. Females often in schools of mixed species when feeding, males usually seen separate (Ref. 48636). Males exhibit territorial tendencies.
