Stethojulis strigiventer (Bennett, 1833)
Three-ribbon wrasse
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed); 7 cm TL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 15 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa south to Algoa Bay, South Africa (Ref. 4392) and east to the Marshall and Tuamoto islands. In the western Pacific, extends from Sagami Bay, Honshu to New South Wales (Australia).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-11. First spine of the anal fin is minute or imbedded (Ref. 1602). Terminal males of S. strigiventer and S. bandanensis are similar, but in S. strigiventer the uppermost lateral blue streak rather than the lowermost one extends to the tail (Ref. 1602).
Biology:  Inhabits seagrass beds and areas of mixed sand, rubble, and algae of inner reef flats and shallow lagoons. Female length is from Ref. 9137. Swims in small aggregations over large areas. Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 48636.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 July 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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