Checkerboard Wrasse

Halichoeres hortulanus

Checkered pattern, with two to three yellow back spots. Juveniles alternately with silvery-white and black bands and eyespot in the middle of the dorsal fin.

Size : 27 cm

Habitat : In clear lagoons and outreefs, 1-30 m. Agile swimmers, always in movement during the day and not shy. Male occupies a large territory. Feeds on small bottom-dwelling invertebrates, frequently swims above rubble and sandy patches near coral.

Distribution : Red Sea, S Oman and East Africa to S Japan, Micronesia, Line Islands and French Polynesia.

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Actinopterygii

ORDER

:

Perciformes

FAMILY

:

Labridae

GENUS

:

Halichoeres

SPECIES

:

Halichoeres hortulanus

Other Information

Population Status

Least Concern (LC)

PHOTO COLLECTION

Reference

  1. inaturalist.org
  2. Reef Fishes of the Indo-Pacific. Book by Matthias Bergbauer and Manuela Kirschner