Pseudocheilinus octotaenia Jenkins, 1901
Eight-lined wrasse
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  14 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Ducie islands, north to the Yaeyama Island.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Identified by the eight longitudinal lines along the body (Ref. 48636).
Biology:  Inhabits among rubble or live corals of seaward reefs (Ref. 1602), usually in caves and crevices with rich invertebrate growth to at least 40 m depth (Ref. 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on benthic crustaceans, but also takes small mollusks, echinoids (sea urchins) (Ref. 1602), fish eggs, and crab larvae (Ref. 37816). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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