Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13. Ground color of female very dark brown; orangish on front of head and lower parts; body spotted with white or very pale yellow, extending to dorsal and anal fins; caudal bright cadmium. Male form deep violet; irregular blue spots on cheeks and lower operculum; body with round blue spots becoming oblong, nearly forming longitudinal bands ventrally; dorsal and anal fins with longitudinal bands; caudal with numerous blue ocelli. Dorsal spines flexible. Caudal fin of adults truncate to emarginate; rounded in small juveniles. Easily confused with male A. geographicus when seen underwater, except when displaying with iridescent blue-green lines and spots over the body and fins (Ref. 48636).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Eupercaria/misc

Family: Labridae

Genus: Anampses

Species: Anampses meleagrides Valenciennes, 1840

Climate Zone

Location

• Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan.

Biology

Adults are found in areas of mixed coral, rubble, consolidated limestone, and sand of seaward reefs; also in soft coral or sponge habitats (Ref. 48636). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874.

Habitat

associated

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless