Scientific Name
Halichoeres ornatissimus

Common Name
Ornamented wrasse

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. Identified by the red-striped pattern and the two ocelli in the dorsal fin in juveniles and females. Another similar species in Japan that has a spotted tail and lacks the series of white blotches over the back (Ref. 48636). Juveniles closely resemble juveniles of H. biocellatus, but have a brighter metallic sheen to the rows of light green markings along the head and back (Ref. 37816).

Classification

Classified By

Garrett, 1863

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Wrasses (Labridae)

Distribution

Region

Pacific Ocean

Distribution

Pacific Ocean: Cocos (Ref. 9399) and Christmas (Ref. 30874) islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

4 m

Depth To - meters

15 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 4 - 15 m (Ref. 30874)

Trophic Level

3.1 s.e. 0.37 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

18.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (28 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)