Scientific Name
Halichoeres nicholsi

Common Name
Spinster wrasse

Biology
Body moderately slender and compressed; head somewhat small and pointed; teeth caniniform, enlarged, and somewhat crooked, two anterior pairs in each jaw; posterior end of upper jaw with one protruding, forward directed canine on each side; dorsal fin continuous, with 9 spines; lateral line with 28 scales; body blue green, with a dark, vertical bar near posterior edge of pectoral fin, preceded by a very marked yellow spot; all fins except pectorals, blue, speckled with red or light colored spots and stripes (Ref. 55763).

Classification

Classified By

Jordan & Gilbert, 1882

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Wrasses (Labridae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Panama, including the Galapagos Islands.

Range

32°N - 1°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

3 m

Depth To - meters

53 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 53 m (Ref. 9311), usually 3 - 27 m (Ref. 9311)

Trophic Level

4 s.e. 0.61 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

38.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 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

Unknown

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (39 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)