Scientific Name
Labrichthys unilineatus

Common Name
Tubelip wrasse

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. Color in life: juveniles brown with 2 bluish white stripes on body, the lateral stripe disappearing with increase in size; female yellowish brown, stripes dull and faint; male color more intensified and bright than female color, a large yellow area beneath and above the pectoral fin base. Yellow lips thick and fleshy, forming a short tube when mouth is closed. Head entirely scaled except for sheath over base of upper lip, preorbital, and chin. Lacks teeth in the upper jaw between the two anterior pairs of canines and the large canine in each corner (Ref. 1602).

Classification

Classified By

Guichenot, 1847

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Wrasses (Labridae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-Pacific

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Micronesia and Samoa.

Range

20°N - 21°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

20 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m (Ref. 9710)

Trophic Level

3.34 s.e. 0.61 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

17.5 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (27 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)