Pteragogus pelycus Randall, 1981
Sideburn wrasse
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Tanzania to Durban, Seychelles, and Comoro Islands. Absent from the Red Sea and not a migrant to the Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 93522).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Back flank and nape brown-red; ventral brown orange. Anal and ventral fin light with brown margin. Black blotch on opercle slightly lower than eye. Orange eye with dark pupil (Ref. 37421).
Biology:  Inhabits quiet (Ref. 30573) seagrass beds and algal flats.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.