| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae |
| Max. size: |
21 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 11 - 90 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Marshall Islands and Samoa. Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique (Ref. 41878). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-11. Recognized by the thin mid-lateral stripe and elongated blotch at front of dorsal fin between 1st and 3rd spines (Ref. 48636). Body covered with relatively large scales; large canine teeth in the front of jaws. |
| Biology: |
Found solitary (Ref. 90102) in caves of steep outer reef drop-offs from 25 to at least 46 m (Ref. 1602) with rich invertebrate growth such as large gorgonians or soft corals (Ref. 48636). Feeds mainly on fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans (Ref. 9823). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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