Suezichthys arquatus Russell, 1985
Rainbow slender wrasse
Suezichthys arquatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses)
Max. size:  13.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 13 - 100 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: New Caledonia, New South Wales in Australia, Norfolk Island, northeast coast of New Zealand, and Kermadec Islands (Ref. 8879). Also recorded in Japan (Ref. 59123) and Ogasawara Is. (Ref. 26066).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-10; Vertebrae: 25-25. Head with two slightly oblique blue bands extending downward from lower part of opercle onto inter opercle. Dorsal fin red, base and postventral part, yellowish; anal fin deep burgundy-red; caudal fin upper part yellow, lower red; pectorals hyaline with thin red lines on rays, base yellow; pelvic fins blue. With five predorsal scales (rarely 3 or 4); two cheek scale rows behind the eye, three below the eye.
Biology:  Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Found in sand patches of shallow reefs but has been reported to occur up to a depth of 100 m (Ref. 530). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 July 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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