U-spot wrasse (Halichoeres stigmaticus)

Scientific name: Halichoeres stigmaticus Randall & Smith, 1982

U-spot wrasse (Halichoeres stigmaticus)

The U-spot wrasse (Halichoeres stigmaticus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, known only from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13. Caudal fin slightly to moderately rounded; females whitish with two broad brownish red to yellowish brown stripes, one dorsally on body and the other lateral, ending in a black spot at base of caudal fin; males pale blue and yellow on dorsal half of body (above lateral line, scale centers yellow, edges blue; colors reversed below the lateral line), gradually shading to whitish ventrally; a large U-shaped black mark within the pale blue area on upper side of tip of pectoral fin; a bright blue and yellow spot anteriorly on dorsal fin (first interspinous membrane mainly blue, second mainly yellow).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Halichoeres stigmaticus
Family
Labridae (Wrasses)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
12.8
Depth range
3–25 m (10–82 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 25 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: known only from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
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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