| Family: |
Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Xyrichtyinae |
| Max. size: |
14.3 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 8 - 120 m |
| Distribution: |
Indian Ocean: Mauritius, Madagascar and Christmas Island. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is characterized by the following: Dorsal rays IX,12; anal rays III,12; pectoral rays 12; lateral line interrupted, the pored scales 19-20 + 5 or 6; cheek is naked except for a curved oblique row of 6 small scales from behind to below eye; 1 or 2 small scales dorsoanteriorly on the opercle; gill rakers 19-20; body depth 2.5-2.6 in SL; dorsal profile of snout nearly vertical; first two dorsal spines slender and flexible, the first slightly longer, 2.45-2.55 in head length; space between second and third dorsal spines more than twice that between first and second spines; color when fresh, pale grey, scale edges dorsally on body grey-brown; head grey-brown, operculum suffused with orange, with vertical blue bands; a broad oblique pale blue band containing numerous small black spots
from interorbital space to above opercle; one to several black spots, edged in pale blue, on side of body above tip of pectoral fin; a dusky streak below posterior end of maxilla and lower lip; orangish patch on side of caudal peduncle, each scale with a pale blue spot; median fins bluish grey; pectoral fins orange (Ref. 58466). |
| Biology: |
Found on sandy bottoms and dives into sand to sleep safely at night or to hide when alarmed (Ref. 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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