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Pseudojuloides paradiseus Tea, Gill & Senou, 2020 Paradise pencil wrasse |
| Family: | Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae | |||
| Max. size: | 13 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 40 m | |||
| Distribution: | Northwest Pacific: Japan. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Pseudojuloides elongatus complex by the following characters: no median predorsal scales and corner of mouth with a large canine tooth; shares overlapping or nearly overlapping meristic counts and morphometric proportions with P. elongatus, P. crux, but differs in having males bright yellowish orange to orange-pink, the upper body strongly overlain in black, and with 3-5 rows of metallic blue spots, while females are unmarked and are reddish orange to brick red (Ref. 123183). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits rubble zones with prominent kelp and other macroalgae growth (Ref. 123183). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||