Novaculoides macrolepidotus
Novaculoides macrolepidotus (Bloch, 1791)
Seagrass wrasse
Novaculoides macrolepidotus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Xyrichtyinae
Max. size:  16 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 25 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 4392) to New Guinea, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-14. A slender species, usually bright green. Juveniles vary from brown to green, usually with a blotched pattern (Ref. 48636).
Biology:  Found solitary or in small groups (Ref. 90102) in seagrass beds and sandy algal flats of lagoons and mangrove channels. Secretive amongst the vegetation and well-camouflaged (Ref. 48636, 58466).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 July 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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