Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. Some geographical variations between Indian and Pacific Ocean and Red Sea. Adults with one or two yellow saddles over the back and sometimes with small black spot on upper peduncle. Small juveniles black and white, gradually changing with growth to adult pattern (Ref. 48636).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Eupercaria/misc

Family: Labridae

Genus: Halichoeres

Species: Halichoeres hortulanus (Lacepède, 1801)

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Inhabits sand patches of lagoon and seaward reefs to at least 30 m (Ref. 1602); also on slopes to moderate depths along drop-offs (Ref. 48636). Juveniles common at the bottom of surge channels (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on hard-shelled prey, including mollusks, crustaceans and sea urchins (9823).

Habitat

associated