Adults are found in most coral reef habitats except in the surge zone ; maximum depth of occurrence at 122 m in Johnston Atoll and Hawaiian Is. . Benthopelagic . Obligate cleaner , picks parasitic crustaceans from other fishes; client fish include Triaenodon obesus . Monogamous . They swim with a dancing-flitting motion. Adults spend the night resting in a balloon-like mucous cocoon.
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10; Vertebrae: 25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IX,11; A III,10; pectoral-fin rays 13-14; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6, lower 7; principal caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; circumpeduncular scales 18-20; body depth 3.3-4.5 in SL; head length 2.9-3.1 in SL; snout length 3.0-3.7 in HL; orbit diameter 3.9-5.1 in HL; orbit diameter 1.2-1.5 in snout length; caudal-peduncle length 2.4-3.9 in HL; pored lateral-line scales 25-29; scale rows above lateral line 3, below lateral line 9-10; total gill rakers 12-14. Colouration: head and anterior body bright yellow with a median lateral black stripe constricted to about origin of anal fin, expanding past this point toward outer edge of caudal fin; upper and lowermost edge of caudal fin magenta (Ref, 138889).: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
Behavioural data for Hawaiian cleaner wrasse is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Hawaiian cleaner wrasse is currently being compiled.
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Monogamous mating is observed as both facultative and social .
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 0 - 122 m . Tropical Central Pacific: Hawaiian Is.
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 1 records indexed .
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