| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae |
| Max. size: |
51 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 2 - 55 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Bermuda, throughout the West Indies, Florida, the Carolinas, and Gulf of Mexico; found at the Brazilian oceanic islands of St. Paul's Rocks, Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rochas. Does not co-occur with H. brasiliensis in Brazilian coastal waters. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Two pairs of enlarged canines in lower jaw; anterior lateral line scales with 3 or more pores per scale; body depth 2.7-3.6 in SL; distinctive 4 or 5 narrow pale bars along the dorsum, more evident in specimens up to 20 cm SL; yellow margin on caudal fin (Ref. 48669). |
| Biology: |
Adults found on shallow patch or seaward reefs down to 55 m (Ref. 9710); juveniles and subadults in shallower (1 to 5 m) coral reefs (Ref. 3726). Feeds on mollusks, sea urchins, crustaceans, and brittle stars (Ref. 9710). Marketed fresh (Ref. 3726). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 April 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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