Blackmargin maori wrasse (Oxycheilinus nigromarginatus)

Scientific name: Oxycheilinus nigromarginatus Randall, Westneat & Gomon, 2003

The Blackmargin maori wrasse (Oxycheilinus nigromarginatus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Southwest Pacific, from New South Wales, Chesterfield Bank in the Coral Sea, New Caledonia and Tonga.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 23. This species is distinguished by the following characters: Dorsal rays IX, 10; anal rays III, 8; pectoral rays 13; lateral-line interrupted, with pored scales to caudal-fin base 15 + 6; gill rakers 5-6 + 8-9; body moderately elongate, depth 3.1-3.55 in SL; head length 2.45-2.55 in SL; snout long and pointed, 2.6-2.8 in head; dorsal profile of snout straight or with a slight concavity of snout to above eye; lower jaw is slightly projecting; maxilla reaching or nearly reaching a vertical at anterior margin of orbit; caudal fin of females slightly rounded, the upper 3 principal rays slightly prolonged; fin of males rhomboid with the upper 3 rays more strongly projecting; pectoral fins 2.6-2.95 in head; body and fins pale yellowish when preserved, with a blackish posterior margin on caudal fin, broader and black in male; first interspinous membrane of dorsal fin dusky

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Oxycheilinus nigromarginatus
Family
Labridae (Wrasses)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
11.3
Depth range
10–27 m (33–89 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 27 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Southwest Pacific: from New South Wales, Chesterfield Bank in the Coral Sea, New Caledonia and Tonga.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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