Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 25. Each lateral line scale with 2-4 tubules; without scales on cheek or opercle; without scales basally on dorsal or anal fins; a single pair of stout canines anteriorly in each jaw; a strong canine at corner of mouth; 9th dorsal spine longest, 2.75-3.1 in HL; green with 4 longitudinal salmon pink to orange bands on head, the 2nd and 3rd passing through eye, the 3rd bifurcating on opercle; a small vertically elongate black spot behind eye; upper 3 bands of head continuing as stripes anteriorly on body, and 2 more commencing from beneath pectoral fin, these stripes variously breaking into segments and forming 6 groups of irregular spots dorsally on body, the 2nd group in a dusky blotch; presumed male with this blotch black and containing small irregularly yellow spots; another presumed male phase blackish posteriorly to a vertical through base of 6th dorsal spine.

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Eupercaria/misc

Family: Labridae

Genus: Halichoeres

Species: Halichoeres orientalis Randall, 1999

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Life cycle and mating behavior

Habitat

associated

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless