Blue four-line wrasse
📖 Overview
Occurs in fringing reefs, among coral heads and in areas with dense coral growth . Adults feed on coral polyps while juveniles act as cleaners of other fishes ; client fish include Pseudanthias squamipinnis, Parupeneus macronemus .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
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; upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 6-7, lower 7-8; principal caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; circumpeduncular scales 22-24; body depth 3.4-3.8 in SL; head length 2.6-3.3 in SL; snout length 2.4-4.2 in HL; orbit diameter 2.5-5.5 in HL; orbit diameter 0.6-1.9 in snout length; caudal-peduncle length 1.6-5.1 in HL; pored lateral-line scales 27-28; scale rows above lateral line 4-5, below lateral line 10-12; total gill rakers 12-14; lower lip U-shaped, its anterior margin ventrally furled, occasionally split medially; inner surface of upper and lower lips plicate. Colouration: juveniles and Initial phase with two electric blue stripes, posterior dorsal and anal fins with a conspicuous black ocellus; Terminal phase males uniformly navy blue with pale blue boomerang shaped stripe on cheek .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blue four-line wrasse is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 15 m . Tropical endemic to the Red Sea basin, including the Gulf of Aqaba, extending southward to the Gulf of Aden, but not beyond into the wider Indian Ocean; photographed in the Gulf of Tadjoura off Djibouti.
🌿 Ecology
coral polyps while juveniles act as cleaners of other fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Blue four-line wrasse.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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