| Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Bodianinae |
| 25 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m |
| Western Pacific between Wakayama Pref., Japan and Sydney, Australia, New Caledonia and Fiji. Indian Ocean, along the western coast of Malaysia and Indonesia, and at least in the Nicobars at the edge of the Andaman Sea. Evidently excluded from the oceanic mid-Pacific plate; |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Juveniles and adults resemble their counterparts of B. axillaris, but juveniles have yellow rather than white spots and adults have well-defined black band between the light and dark portions of the body and lack ocelli on the dorsal and anal fins. Color of juveniles changes completely to adult pattern when about 5-6 cm long. The change takes only a few weeks and intermediates are rarely seen (Ref. 48636). |
| Ranging into subtropical zones as juveniles expatriate caused by warm currents during pelagic stage (Ref. 48636). Adults inhabit coral-rich outer reef slopes at depths of 5 to over 20 m, particularly near caves. Juveniles in caves; adults swim openly about, but usually close to the substrate, and often engage in cleaning larger fishes (Ref. 48636). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 April 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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