| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae |
| Max. size: |
10 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 24 - 60 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Japan (Izu-Oshima), south to the Ryukyu Archipelago (Yaeyama Islands and Okinawa), Taiwan (Green Island), and the Philippines. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI,9; A III,9 except holotype with III,8; pectoral-fin rays 14-15; lateral line interrupted with 16-17 + 6-8 scales; median predorsal scales 4-5; 2 horizontal scale rows on cheek below eye; gill rakers 15; body depth 29-34% SL; head length 29-36% SL; snout length 9-11% SL; caudal fin of terminal-phase (TP) male is broadly lanceolate, i.e. rhomboidal with an extension of central rays; pelvic fins are relatively short, not reaching anal-fin origin when depressed; colour of TP male in life orange-yellow dorsally suffusing to lavender ventrally; a bright pink-to-purplish stripe at rest and dead, but blue in life and especially when displaying, extending posteriorly from upper orbit across head before making an oblique downward slant behind pectoral-fin base, and then continuing just below mid-lateral line to base of caudal fin; a prominent long mid-dorsal-fin basal dark spot, with a mostly lavender blotch on upper body below spot; colour of initial-phase fish mainly uniformly orange with faint stripes along dorsum and weak manifestation of medial stripe (Ref. 108439). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in areas with flat or gently sloping bottoms with scattered low outcrops of rock and coral (Ref. 108439). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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