Yellow-tailed Wrasse (species: Halichoeres melanurus) in Frankland Island Group, QLD (Gaia Guide)
Frankland Island Group, QLD > Animalia > Chordata > Actinopterygii > Perciformes > Labridae > Halichoeres > Halichoeres melanurus (gallery)
Halichoeres melanurus
Yellow-tailed Wrasse


©Dennis Polack: Male Yellow-tailed Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)

©Dennis Polack: Female Yellow-tailed Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)

©Anne: Male Halichoeres melanurus at Lizard Island

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Perciformes
Family Labridae
Genus Halichoeres
Species Halichoeres melanurus

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Colours

                        

Distinguishing features

The female can be easily differentiated from the male by the presence of ocelli markings (eye spots) on the dorsal and caudal fins.

Size

  • Up to 12 cm (Total Length)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Interesting facts

  • When placed in the vicinity of one or more females, males may "flash" their colours with dramatically increased intensity (FishBase).

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Found mostly on shallow coral reefs and rocky shores (FishBase).

Web resources

References

  • Caley, M.J. (1995). Reef fish community structure and dynamics: in interaction between local and larger-scale processes? Marine Ecology Progress Series, 129: 19-29. LIRS catalog number 448.
  • Green, A.L. (1996). Spatial, temporal and ontogenetic patterns of habitat use by coral reef fishes (Family Labridae), Marine Ecology Progress Series, 133: 1-11. LIRS catalog number 457.
  • Green, A.L. (1998). Spatio-temporal patterns of recruitment of labroid fishes (Pisces: Labridae and Scaridae) to damselfish territories, Environmental Biology of Fishes, 51: 235-244. LIRS catalog number 527.
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