| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae |
| Max. size: |
11.34 cm SL (male/unsexed); 8.23 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 27 m |
| Distribution: |
Southwest Pacific: from New South Wales, Chesterfield Bank in the Coral Sea, New Caledonia and Tonga. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 23-23. This species is distinguished by the following characters: Dorsal rays IX, 10; anal rays III, 8; pectoral rays 13; lateral-line interrupted, with pored scales to caudal-fin base 15 + 6; gill rakers 5-6 + 8-9; body moderately elongate, depth 3.1-3.55 in SL; head length 2.45-2.55 in SL; snout long and pointed, 2.6-2.8 in head; dorsal profile of snout straight or with a slight concavity of snout to above eye; lower jaw is slightly projecting; maxilla reaching or nearly reaching a vertical at anterior margin of orbit; caudal fin of females slightly rounded, the upper 3 principal rays slightly prolonged; fin of males rhomboid with the upper 3 rays more strongly projecting; pectoral fins 2.6-2.95 in head; body and fins pale yellowish when preserved, with a blackish posterior margin on caudal fin, broader and black in male; first interspinous membrane of dorsal fin dusky; red in life on about upper half of body with 5 irregular pale bars, pale red on lower half with 3 pale stripes containing small white spots; posterior edge of caudal fin blackish to black (Ref. 56651). |
| Biology: |
Collected in protected waters of lagoons or harbors on mixed sand and coral-reef habitats (Ref. 56651). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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