| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae |
| Max. size: |
40 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Pacific Ocean: Christmas and Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Society and Tuamoto islands, north to Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, south to Australia. Replaced by Coris cuvieri in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 37816). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Juveniles easily recognized by their striking coloration. Females have a bright yellow caudal fin (Ref. 48636). |
| Biology: |
A solitary species (Ref. 90102) found in areas of mixed coral, sand and rubble of exposed outer reef flats, lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602, 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on mollusks, crabs, and hermit crabs, and occasionally on tunicates and forams (Ref. 1602). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 October 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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