TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Genus/species: Stethojulis bandanensis
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The body is elongate and fusiform with a pointed head and small mouth. Primary phase individuals are brown with hundreds of tiny white specks, a white belly, yellowish cheeks, and an orange shoulder patch. Terminal males typically have a series of partial to complete longitudinal thin blue lines on their sides. Females mainly bluish grey with fine white spotting over upper sides and a small red spot at axil of pectoral fin. They have a blue-green on upper half and bluish below.
Length up to 15 cm (6 inches)
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical Indo-Pacific: eastern Indian Ocean to western Australia, Found in shallow clear water of reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas of mixed sand, rubble and coral. Depth 3-30m (10-100 feet).
DIET IN THE WILD: Zoobenthos ( small benthic invertebrates living on, in, or near the seabed, also known as the benthic zone)
REPRODUCTION: Oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding
CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern LC
References
California Academy of Sciences Philippine coral reef 2016
Vetted J. Charles Delbeek, M.Sc.
Assistant Curator, Steinhart Aquarium
fishbase www.fishbase.se/summary/5640
EOL eol.org/pages/994413/details
Ron’s flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/13226075944/
IUCN www.iucnredlist.org/details/full/187424/0
Ron’s WordPress Shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1e5
Ron's Critter of the Day 