Gracilis Wrasse

Anterior part of dorsal fin unspotted in initial phase, but present in terminal phase; dark diagonal band or spots on caudal fin absent in T.P.; pectoral and pelvic fins translucent yellow. A dark yellowish green stripe from upper lip through eye to upper margin of the opercle; yellowish cheeks and lower jaw. 4-5 predorsal scales; 2-3 cheek scale rows behind eye; 3 cheek scale rows below eye. Scaly sheath at dorsal and anal fins' bases absent. Scales large.

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

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 10; Vertebrae: 25

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Found around coral and rock patches in shallow protected sandy areas (Ref. 9710). Amphipods, small crustaceans, and polychaetes have been reported from the stomachs of Japanese specimens.

Found around coral and rock patches in shallow protected sandy areas (Ref. 9710). Amphipods, small crustaceans, and polychaetes have been reported from the stomachs of Japanese specimens.

aquarium: commercial

分布於西太平洋區，由日木、台灣至澳洲海域等。台灣北部、東北部、西南部及澎湖海域有分布。

中小型之隆頭魚，體色鮮豔，是適合水族觀賞的魚類，可食用，但個體小，較無食用價值。

體延長，側扁；背緣與腹緣較平直。頭較小；吻尖突；唇中等肥厚，下唇中裂，形成小形肉垂。上下頜約等長；上下頜各具一列錐狀齒，上頜前端具 1對犬齒，下頜具 2對犬齒。前鰓蓋骨後緣平滑；鰓蓋膜不與峽部相連；鰓耙短尖。體被中大圓鱗，頰鱗 3列；鰓蓋骨無鱗。D. IX, 11；A. III, 10；L.l. 25-26；腹鰭胸位；尾鰭後緣圓形。體背紅褐色，腹粉紅色；幼魚由吻端經眼至尾鰭基部有一暗褐色縱帶；成魚背鰭黑色，鰭基及鰭緣白色；臀鰭黃色，鰭緣黑色；成魚尾鰭具一黃色的矢狀斑。

主要棲息於岩礫或珊瑚礁外圉的砂地水域，以甲殼類及多毛類為食。