| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae |
| Max. size: |
20 cm TL (male/unsexed); 15 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 78 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa (Ref. 35918) and Papua New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Males with long filaments (Ref. 1623). |
| Biology: |
Found among algae patches of coral or rocky reefs (Ref. 9710). Also found in weedy bottoms (Ref. 30573). Cryptic and with excellent camouflage, making it difficult to detect (Ref. 90102). Males territorial (Ref. 9710). Edible but not tasty (Ref. 559). Female length is from Ref. 9137. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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