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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Zigzag wrasse

Halichoeres scapularis Bennett, 1832
Max Length
20 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
1–20 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
23.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Common in shallow lagoons or bays; usually over sand, rubble, or seagrass bottom , rather than on coral reefs. May be found in groups . Usually solitary and aggressive towards members of its own species. Feeds on small crustaceans by picking them off the sandy bottom .

Scientific Name
Halichoeres scapularis
Authority
Bennett, 1832
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
20 cm
Depth Range
1–20 m
Latitude
24°S – 32°N
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
23.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. The initial phase is olivaceous to brownish yellow dorsally, white ventrally, with a black zigzag stripe running from eye to upper caudal peduncle (continuing anteriorly as a yellow stripe from the eye to the snout). This primary phase is similar to H. trimaculatus except for the black zigzag stripe along its back . The terminal phase is green, the zigzag stripe lavender-pink with its anterior portion overlaid by a black blotch.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Zigzag wrasse is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Zigzag wrasse is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Spawn Location
Pelagic

Distinct pairing during breeding . Pelagic spawner .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 20 m . Tropical; 32°N - 24°S West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.5±0.5
🧍 Solitary
Food Items

small crustaceans by picking them off the sandy bottom (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01023 × L3.14 (TL)
Max TL
20cm
Dorsal Spines
9
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
11

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2008

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
23.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
32°N – 24°S
Described By
Bennett, 1832

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Halichoeres coeruleovittatus Rüppell 1835 Synonym
Halichoeres cymatogrammus Jordan & Seale 1905 Synonym
Halichoeres scalpularis Bennett 1832 Synonym
Julis elegans Valenciennes 1839 Synonym
Julis leschenaulti Valenciennes 1839 Synonym
Julis phaiotaenia Bleeker 1855 Synonym
Julis scapularis Bennett 1832 Synonym
Platyglossus alternans Cartier 1874 Synonym
Platyglossus pagenstecheri Kossmann & Räuber 1877 Synonym
Pseudojulis ziczac De Vis 1885 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 26 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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