| Labridae (Wrasses) |
| 10 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; depth range 2 - 25 m |
| Western Central Pacific: Philippines, Palau, Indonesia, New Guinea, and Great Barrier Reef. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 25-25. Juveniles with 3 broad black stripes from head to caudal fin where the stripes merge; with growth, lower stripe disappears, upper stripe is less distinct; black caudal fin becomes entirely yellow in adults. Head scales small. Lips thick and fleshy, forming a short tube when mouth is closed. Caudal fin rounded to truncate; pelvic fins rounded. |
| A solitary species (Ref. 90102) occurring in coral rich areas of shallow lagoons and sheltered seaward reefs. Adults feed mainly on coral polyps while juveniles remove ectoparasites from small territorial fishes (Ref. 2334, 9710). Adults swim in small groups. Usually, only small juveniles clean other fishes (Ref. 48636). |
|
(Ref. 96402)
|
| harmless |
|
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