| Family: |
Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Plectorhinchinae |
| Max. size: |
72 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: from Ryukyu Islands to Ogasawara Islands to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: chin with 6 pores, no median pit; gill rakers on first gill arch 7-11 + 1 + 17-19 = 26-30; D XIII,18-20, 3rd to 5th spines longest; lips fleshy, moderately swollen with age; scales ctenoid (rough to touch); lateral line tubed scales about 54-58; body depth 2.6-2.9 in SL; caudal fin slightly rounded in juveniles, truncate in adults. Colour of juveniles with few horizontal to slightly oblique dark brown bands which subdivide with age until the body appears to be dark chocolate brown above, with a network of fine white lines running up and back, the broad brown bars breaking up into smaller and smaller spots on lower sides; belly white; lips and fins bright yellow, anal and caudal fins dotted with black; pectoral fins with a splash of bright crimson or scarlet red at the base (Ref. 47695, 90102). |
| Biology: |
Found in deep inner to outer reef habitats (Ref. 48635). Occurs singly or in aggregations along coral slopes of clear lagoon and seaward reefs. Juveniles solitary on shallow protected reefs (Ref. 48635). Generally nocturnal, feeding on benthic invertebrates in open sand flats and seagrass beds at night and conspicuously rests during the day (Ref. 9710, 90102). At Palau, it aggregates to spawn around new moon (Ref. 37816). Taken by handline and spear. Marketed fresh, a small quantity is salted (Ref. 47695). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 April 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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