| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses) |
| Max. size: |
10 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 52 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Palau, and Marshall Islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 25-25. Male differ from female in lacking the dark spot above origin of anal fin, the 1 or 2 narrow dark stripes anteriorly on body, and the dark spot anteriorly on the dorsal fin. Posterior caudal peduncle and fin white; upper and lower procurrent caudal rays usually 7. Preopercular margin free from corner to level of mouth; suborbital pores 7-9; preopercular pores 8-11. |
| Biology: |
Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas with dense coral growth (Ref. 9710) and on steep slopes, solitary or in pairs (Ref. 90102). Probably feeds on coral polyps (Ref. 6023). Juveniles clean other fishes. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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