| Labridae (Wrasses) |
| 11.7 cm SL (male/unsexed); 8.6 cm SL (female) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 6 - 100 m |
| Southwest Pacific: southeastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania) and northeastern New Zealand. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-10; Vertebrae: 25-25. Initial phase color: body red-orange above, paler posteriorly; with a white-bordered black ocellus at the base of the 9th and 10th dorsal rays. Terminal phase color: body deep crimson, paler below; pearly white stripe running from corner of mouth to caudal fin base; head with six bright blue lines. Predorsal scales 4 (3-5). Cheek scale 1 row behind the eye; 2 rows below eye. No scaly sheath at the base of dorsal and anal fins. Scales large. Pectoral fin with two rudimentary dorsalmost rays. |
| Occurs in sand patches adjacent to reef areas in shallow waters. The species is a facultative cleaner symbiont, removing parasites and damaged scales and skin from other fishes; also feeds on small crustaceans from the bottom and from seaweed fronds. |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 July 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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