Halichoeres chrysus
| Halichoeres chrysus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Labriformes |
| Family: | Labridae |
| Genus: | Halichoeres |
| Species: | H. chrysus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Halichoeres chrysus Randall, 1981
| |
Halichoeres chrysus, commonly called the canary wrasse, golden wrasse or yellow wrasse, is a wrasse native to the central Indo-Pacific area.
Description
Halichoeres chrysus is a small fish that can reach a maximum length of 12 cm. It has a thin, elongate body with a terminal mouth. Body coloration is bright yellow with a few variations according to age. Juveniles and immature females have two black spots rimmed with white or light yellow on the dorsal fin and a third one between the caudal peduncle and the caudal fin; in contrast, matures females or young males only show the two black spots on the dorsal fin. Mature males display only the first black spot in the front of the dorsal fin, a lighter-colored spot just behind the eye and irregular greenish to pinkish bars on the face.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Halichoeres chrysus is quite widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific, in an area bordered by the Christmas Islands and Indonesia, Japan, New South Wales and the Rowley Shoals, and Tonga and the Solomon Islands.[1][3] This wrasse occurs on outside reef slopes, in rubble and sandy areas from surface down to a depth of 30 m.[2][4]
Biology
Halichoeres chrysus lives in small groups. It is a benthic predator that feeds mainly on small marine invertebrates such as crustaceans, molluscs, worms and echinoderms captured on or in the substrate.[5]
Like most wrasses, Halichoeres chrysus is a protogynous hermaphrodite, i.e. individuals start life as females with the capability of turning male later on.
Conservation status
On the IUCN Red List, Halichoeres chrysus is listed as a Least Concern Species. It is targeted but not thought to be threatened by the aquarium trade.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Choat, J.H.; Yeeting, B. (2010). "Halichoeres chrysus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010 e.T187624A8583725. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187624A8583725.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b Lieske, E.; Myers, R. (1994). Collins Pocket Guide - Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers.
- ^ J.E. Randall; J.T. Williams; D.G. Smith; M. Kulbicki; G.M. Tham; P. Labrosse; M. Kronen; E. Clua; B.S. Mann (2003). "Checklist of the shore and epipelagic fishes of Tonga". Atoll Research Bulletin. 502. National Museaum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
- ^ Kuiter, R.H. (2002). Fairy and rainbow wrasses and their relatives – a comprehensive guide to selected labrids. Chorleywood, UK: TMC Publishing.
- ^ Allen, G.R.; Erdmann, M.V. (2012). Reef fishes of the East Indies. Tropical Reef Research. Vol. I–III. Perth, Australia: University of Hawaiʻi Press.
External links
- Photos of Halichoeres chrysus in the Sealife Collection