TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: (Labridae) Wrasses

Genus/species: Pseudojuloides cerasinus

Pencil Wrasse 8362948295_4f3b9c4930_h

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Long slender bodies and pointed snouts. Body color of males and females differ; geographic variation exists Initial phase (IP) fish are white with a copper-colored dorsum. Terminal phase (TP) green upper body, bicolor blue and yellow mid-body stripe; blue below. Length to 12 cm (5 in).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: East Africa to Samoa and Hawaii. S. Japan to Australia. Found among rubble, weed and coral areas of lagoon and seaward reefs to 61m (201 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: Small benthic invertebrates (including fan worms, small crustaceans).

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Reef Partners Cluster,  Shrimpfish Exhibit PR31

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