Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Cirrhilabrinae
Etymology: Pteragogus: Greek, pteron = wing, fin + Greek, ago = to drive (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Fowler & Bean.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 12 m (Ref. 90102). Tropical; 19°N - 12°S
Western Central Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Guinea and Palau.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 9.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 48636)
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10. This species differs from P. cryptus by having a concave rather than straight dorsal head profile, a higher modal gill raker count, and a series of five well-defined dark brown spots on the mid lateral line (these spots may be present on some P. cryptus, but are never well-defined). Best identified by the thin white barring on dorsal fin and upper sides (Ref. 48636). SL to 57 mm.
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Found in sheltered inner reefs amongst broken coral and rubble. Usually seen in less than 10 m depth, staying well hidden in reefs, but sometimes swimming amongst the long-spined Diadema urchins or in thick algae coverage (Ref. 48636).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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