Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Closely resembles juveniles of Cheilinus fasciatus and Epibulus insidiator. Since they have broadly overlapping meristics, color pattern is the only reliable distinguishing character (Ref. 1602). Body of adults when fresh grayish brown, becoming reddish brown on mid side and ventrally on some specimens. Head with narrow, diagonal pale bands radiating from the orbit; iris bluish with reddish inner rim and an upper and lower streak of pale yellow. A large black spot covering more than half of pelvic fin. One predorsal bone. Premaxilla protractile. Spinous portions of dorsal and anal fins deeply incised.
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 23
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Inhabit caves or crevices of lagoon and seaward reefs and drop-offs (Ref. 37816). Benthic and benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Specimens usually taken at depths of at least 30 m. Secretive (Ref. 37816).
- Recorder
- Grace Tolentino Pablico
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Inhabit caves or crevices of lagoon and seaward reefs and drop-offs (Ref. 37816). Benthic and benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Specimens usually taken at depths of at least 30 m. Secretive (Ref. 37816).
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Inhabits caves or crevices of lagoon and seaward reefs. Specimens usually taken at depths of at least 30 m.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2023). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (02/2023).
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board