Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12; Vertebrae: 25. Young green when in seagrasses and greenish brown on reefs. Recognized by the unusual color patterns on the cheek or the black spotted scales over the back (Ref. 48636). Preserved male specimens with pale spots on scales; dark spot behind eye (continuous with a bifurcating dark band which extends ventrally); another on opercle; a dark band on snout from upper lip to eye; head with bands; spot on upper caudal base may be present or absent (present in females). Anterior lateral line scales with 1-3 pores (usually 2); 5-6 suborbital pores. Anterior dorsal and anal soft rays longer than posterior rays; pelvic fins of males relatively short, not reaching anus.

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Eupercaria/misc

Family: Labridae

Genus: Halichoeres

Species: Halichoeres argus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Found usually in groups (Ref. 90102) in shallow coastal reefs and seagrass flats (Ref. 9710), also in algae-rocky reef flats and lagoons (Ref. 48636).

Habitat

associated