Polynesian pencil wrasse
📖 Overview
Polynesian pencil wrasse (Pseudojuloides polynesica), first described by Victor, 2017 is a small fish in the family Labridae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 12.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 30 to 70 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IX,11; A III,12; pectoral-fin rays 13; lateral-line scales 27 and +1 on caudal-fin base; head scaleless; gill rakers 14-17; one pair of large, projecting, and slightly recurved canine teeth anteriorly in each jaw, the upper pair is slightly out-flaring while the lowers curving forward and fitting between uppers when mouth closed; each side of upper and lower jaws with a short irregular row of 3-7 chisel-like incisiform teeth, no canine posteriorly at corner of mouth; body elongate, its depth 4.1-4.7 in SL; moderately compressed with body width 1.8-2.6 in body depth. Colour of female IP orangish to reddish to pink, grading to whitish ventrally, snout yellowish, the first two dorsal-fin spinous membranes black, edged distally with yellow-orange margin, median fins yellowish; while colour of TP male with greenish upper body and bluish lower one, a distinct mid-lateral blue stripe over green stripe along side of body; head yellowish above, blue below, with one blue stripe behind eye extending across operculum and usually dipping down to meet upper pectoral-fin base, upper snout yellowish with no stripes in front of eye; the first two dorsal-fin spinous membranes black; slightly rounded to truncate caudal fin with a prominent medial blue bar followed by a greenish or black area and a blue margin .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Polynesian pencil wrasse is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 30 - 70 m . Tropical Central Pacific: French Polynesia (Austral, Tahiti and Moorea, Society Is.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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