Wetmorella nigropinnata (Seale, 1901)
Sharpnose wrasse
Wetmorella nigropinnata
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 36 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Marquesan and Pitcairn islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 23-23. Fresh specimens grayish brown to reddish brown, sometimes with dark narrow edges on scales on mid side of body. Light yellow bar on head behind and adjacent to eye; another on caudal peduncle; iris red and yellow. Juveniles (up to about 3.8 cm SL) have 2 broad pale bars on body. Spinous portions of dorsal and anal fins deeply incised. One predorsal bone.
Biology:  Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs, in caves and crevices (Ref. 9710). A secretive species. Feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 9823). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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