Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 130 m (Ref. 89972). Subtropical; 35°N - 31°S
Pacific Ocean: antitropical, from southern Japan, Hawaiian Islands, Clipperton Island, Revillagigedo Islands, southern California, Easter Island, and Pitcairn Islands.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm NG male/unsexed; (Ref. 89467)
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 32; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 26 - 29. Males are straw-yellow with each scale outlined in black creating a crosshatched appearance, and a red tail with neon submarginal blue band. Females are also crosshatched, but with a slate gray to blue ground color and tail.
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
Found mainly around oceanic islands and near reefs along the continental coasts (Ref. 9276). Found in schools in seaward reefs above drop-offs (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on zooplanktons (Ref. 89972).
Males establish a territory for spawning and parental care but not for feeding (Ref. 116451). Only females tend the eggs but both parents keep guard (Ref. 116451).
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
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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