| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae |
| Max. size: |
20 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 54 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Pacific Ocean: from the Line Islands to Indonesia, north to Taiwan and southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Color changes quickly from when moving from swimming near the bottom to open water to feed and the striped pattern of the female fades to an even grey that makes them difficult to see. Males have a variable banded pattern and this also changes with moods (Ref. 48636). |
| Biology: |
Found in outer reef crests in small aggregations (Ref. 8631). Females occur in small groups, and usually a male is nearby (Ref. 48636). Usually well above open bottoms with mixed sand, rubble, and coral (Ref. 9710). Found in areas periodically exposed to strong currents (Ref. 90102). Feeds on zooplankton (Ref. 9710). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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