Cheekspot wrasse (Halichoeres melasmapomus)

Scientific name: Halichoeres melasmapomus Randall, 1981

Cheekspot wrasse (Halichoeres melasmapomus)

The Cheekspot wrasse (Halichoeres melasmapomus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Cocos-Keeling Island and Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Marquesan and Pitcairn islands.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 25. Fresh male specimens reddish brown dorsally, reddish ventrally; head with green bands; upper opercle with a large blue-edged black spot, rimmed with blue and red; 3 succession of spots behind eye. Large females may be similar in color with males but with a black spot on branched caudal rays; smaller ones have 3 black spots on dorsal fin base. Anterior lateral line scales with 2-7 pores, more in larger adults; 9-13 suborbital pores. Pelvic fins reaching or nearly reaching anus in large adults.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Halichoeres melasmapomus
Family
Labridae (Wrasses)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
24.0
Depth range
10–55 m (33–180 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 55 m, usually 33 - ? m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Cocos-Keeling Island and Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Marquesan and Pitcairn islands.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More wrasses

See all wrasses

Sources

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

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