| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Xyrichtyinae |
| Max. size: |
15 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 21 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: southern Florida, USA and Bahamas to northern South America. |
| Diagnosis: |
Females light greenish gray, becoming pinkish ventrally, with diffuse orange-red stripe from behind eye to base of caudal fin; a broad white area over abdomen, the lower part with vertical lines of red; there may be faint red bars on the body. Large adult males lose the distinctive red, white and black markings; they develop a vertically elongate blue spot on each body scale; a yellow head with near-vertical pale blue bands, and a large dark spot in axil of pectoral fins (Ref. 13442). |
| Biology: |
Most common in open sandy areas. Feeds on small sand-dwelling invertebrates. Dives head first into the sand when frightened. Generally common (Ref. 9710). Generally of no interest to fisheries because of its small average size (Ref. 5217). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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