The tail-spot wrasse, Halichoeres melanurus, is a species of wrasse in the western Pacific from Japan to Samoa and Tonga and south to the Great Barrier Reef. This species is found along rocky shores or on coral reefs at depths from 1 to 15 m (3.3 to 49.2 ft). It can reach 12 cm (4.7 in) in total length. This species is popular for display in public aquaria[2] and can be found in the aquarium trade.[1]
| Tail-spot wrasse | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Labriformes |
| Family: | Labridae |
| Genus: | Halichoeres |
| Species: | H. melanurus
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| Binomial name | |
| Halichoeres melanurus (Bleeker, 1851)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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The male of the species is more vibrant in colour generally, and when placed in the vicinity of one or more females may "flash" his colours with dramatically increased intensity. The female can be easily differentiated from the male by the presence of ocelli markings (eye spots) on the dorsal and caudal fins.
References
edit- ^ a b Cabanban, A.; Choat, J.H.; Pollard, D.; Myers, R. (2010). "Halichoeres melanurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T187677A8598030. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187677A8598030.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Halichoeres melanurus year-2019". FishBase.
External links
edit- Photos of Tail-spot wrasse on Sealife Collection
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