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 .
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.
Behavioural data for Zigzag wrasse is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Zigzag wrasse is currently being compiled.
Distinct pairing during breeding . Pelagic spawner .
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 20 m . Tropical; 32°N - 24°S West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref.
small crustaceans by picking them off the sandy bottom (Ref
| 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 |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 26 records indexed .
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