Whitebanded sharpnose wrasse (Wetmorella albofasciata)

Scientific name: Wetmorella albofasciata Schultz & Marshall, 1954

Whitebanded sharpnose wrasse (Wetmorella albofasciata)

The Whitebanded sharpnose wrasse (Wetmorella albofasciata) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef; Pohnpei and Marshall Islands in Micronesia.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 23. Closely resembles juveniles of Cheilinus fasciatus and Epibulus insidiator. Since they have broadly overlapping meristics, color pattern is the only reliable distinguishing character. Body of adults when fresh grayish brown, becoming reddish brown on mid side and ventrally on some specimens. Head with narrow, diagonal pale bands radiating from the orbit; iris bluish with reddish inner rim and an upper and lower streak of pale yellow. A large black spot covering more than half of pelvic fin. One predorsal bone. Premaxilla protractile. Spinous portions of dorsal and anal fins deeply incised.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Wetmorella albofasciata
Family
Labridae (Wrasses)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
6.0
Depth range
8–42 m (26–138 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 8 - 42 m, usually 30 - ? m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef; Pohnpei and Marshall Islands in Micronesia.
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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