Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Julidinae
Etymology: Thalassoma: Greek, thalassa = the sea + Greek, soma = body; the colour of the sea (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Captain Louis Isidore Duperrey (1786–1865) was a French naval officer (1802). [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on authors: Quoy & Gaimard.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - ? m (Ref. 58302), usually 5 - 25 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 22°C - 26°C (Ref. 27115); 30°N - 15°N
Eastern Central Pacific: Johnston (Ref. 11013) and Hawaiian islands.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 9.2, range 6 - 12 cm
Max length : 28.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3921)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Occur in clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic over coral, rock and rubble (Ref. 58302). Feed mainly on benthic animals. Juveniles and adults sometimes act as cleaners (Ref. 9710). Spawning occur either in aggregations by fish in the initial color phase or in pairs, typically with the terminal male being much larger than the female.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Pelagic spawner. Sex reversal is completed in 8-12 weeks (Ref. 34185, 34261). Also Ref. 38856, 38703. Primary males participate in group spawning and have large testes; secondary males engage in pair-spawning and have smaller, reduced testes (Ref. 48503).
Randall, J.E., 1985. Guide to Hawaiian reef fishes. Harrowood Books, Newtown Square, PA 19073, USA. 74 p. (Ref. 3921)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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