Macropharyngodon meleagris (Valenciennes, 1839)
Blackspotted wrasse
Macropharyngodon meleagris
photo by Yin, Robert

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  15 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to western Pacific and islands of Oceania.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 25-25. Color in life of young and females whitish to greenish with irregular black spots; males orange-red with greenish yellow spots (edged in blue and black, per scale); head spotted and banded. Anterior lateral line scales with 2-4 pores. Pelvic fins short, not reaching anus.
Biology:  Inhabits subtidal reef flats and outer lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Usually in areas with mixed sand, rubble, and coral (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on gastropods, other hard-shelled prey (Ref. 9823), and foraminiferans (Ref. 37816). Rarely marketed.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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