Blackmargin Wrasse

This species is distinguished by the following characters: Dorsal rays IX, 10; anal rays III, 8; pectoral rays 13; lateral-line interrupted, with pored scales to caudal-fin base 15 + 6; gill rakers 5-6 + 8-9; body moderately elongate, depth 3.1-3.55 in SL; head length 2.45-2.55 in SL; snout long and pointed, 2.6-2.8 in head; dorsal profile of snout straight or with a slight concavity of snout to above eye; lower jaw is slightly projecting; maxilla reaching or nearly reaching a vertical at anterior margin of orbit; caudal fin of females slightly rounded, the upper 3 principal rays slightly prolonged; fin of males rhomboid with the upper 3 rays more strongly projecting; pectoral fins 2.6-2.95 in head; body and fins pale yellowish when preserved, with a blackish posterior margin on caudal fin, broader and black in male; first interspinous membrane of dorsal fin dusky; red in life on about upper half of body with 5 irregular pale bars, pale red on lower half with 3 pale stripes containing small white spots; posterior edge of caudal fin blackish to black (Ref. 56651).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 23

Collected in protected waters of lagoons or harbors on mixed sand and coral-reef habitats (Ref. 56651).