Halichoeres semicinctus (Ayres, 1859)
Rock wrasse
photo by Gotshall, D.W.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  38 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 14 years
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 24 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Point Conception in California, USA to Guadalupe Island (off north-central Baja California) and the Gulf of California in Mexico.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found close to rocks near patches of sand and in tide pools. Dart into sand when disturbed and sleep at night buried in sand with head protruding. Feed on gastropods, small crustaceans and has been observed to pick ectoparasites from other fishes (Ref. 9311). Each individual functions first as female but changes to a male at length of about 30 cm. Pelagic spawners (Ref. 56049).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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