Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Undergoes relatively minor changes in color with growth. Easily identified by the unusual coloration and long tail (Ref. 48636).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Eupercaria/misc

Family: Labridae

Genus: Bodianus

Species: Bodianus anthioides (Bennett, 1832)

Climate Zone

Location

• Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa (Ref. 35918) and east to the Line and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands.

Biology

Adults inhabit seaward reefs. They occur on reefs rich with invertebrates such as gorgonians, seawhips and black corals (Ref. 48636). Common along steep outer reef slopes deeper than 25 m in Micronesia. Usually seen as lone individuals (Ref. 48636). Juveniles pose as cleaners (Ref. 8631). May be solitary or may exist in pairs (Ref. 5503). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.

Habitat

associated

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless