Halichoeres penrosei Starks, 1913
Halichoeres penrosei
photo by Rocha, L.A.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  11.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 30 m
Distribution:  Southwest Atlantic: Southeastern Brazil, including Trinidade Island.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-11. Juveniles and females with wide black stripe through eye to base of tail, bordered above by prominent pinkish-brown line; white scales with orange spots on lower half of the body . Adult males primarily green with scales bordered by pink and a black spot on anterior part of the dorsal fin. Narrow (<0.5 mm width) orange stripes on lower half of head, from mouth to gill opening. One pair of enlarged canine teeth anteriorly in the lower jaw (Ref. 52607).
Biology:  Common in coral and rocky reef tops to depths of 30 meters and often solitary or in pairs (Ref. 52607). Photo of individual from Brazil (Toque-Toque Beach, municipality of São Sebastião, state of São Paulo), 10.5 cm TL in length (T. Vaske, Jr. pers.comm. 2011).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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