Blackstripe Wrasse

Recognized by the thin mid-lateral stripe and elongated blotch at front of dorsal fin between 1st and 3rd spines (Ref. 48636). Body covered with relatively large scales; large canine teeth in the front of jaws.

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 11

Found solitary (Ref. 90102) in caves of steep outer reef drop-offs from 25 to at least 46 m (Ref. 1602) with rich invertebrate growth such as large gorgonians or soft corals (Ref. 48636). Feeds mainly on fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans (Ref. 9823).

Found solitary (Ref. 90102) in caves of steep outer reef drop-offs from 25 to at least 46 m (Ref. 1602) with rich invertebrate growth such as large gorgonians or soft corals (Ref. 48636). Feeds mainly on fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans (Ref. 9823).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: very high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

分布於印度-太平洋區，由紅海到馬歇爾群島及薩摩亞，北至台灣海域等。台灣綠島有發現。

中小型之隆頭魚，以一支釣、延繩釣或潛水鏢魚較有可能捕獲。可被當作觀賞魚，亦可食用，但產量較少。是台灣新紀錄種。

體延長；頭背面平直。吻長，突出；鼻孔每側 2個；口中大，前位，略可向前伸出；上下頜各具錐形齒一列，前端各有一對大犬齒；前鰓蓋骨邊緣具距齒，左右鰓膜癒合，不與峽部相逢；體被大形圓鱗。D. IX, 10；A. III, 8-11；P.12；幼魚尾鰭圓形，成魚尾鰭內凹；腹鰭短而延長。幼魚體白色，頭及體側散布橘紅斑駁，體側中央具一暗色縱帶，或斷裂成5-6段。成魚體粉紅至橘紅色，而具淡色斑點或斑駁，體側中央具一暗色縱帶；背鰭第I-III棘膜具黑斑；尾鰭上下葉緣橙紅色，中央暗色，末緣淡色。

主要棲息於急陡礁坡的洞穴且軟珊瑚或其它無脊椎動物繁生的水域，深度約在25-46公尺左右。主要以甲殼類、小魚以及小蝦等為食。

Inhabits deep water reefs, usually more than 30 m (Ref. 9823). Found in caves of the outer reef dropoffs from 25 to at least 46 m (Ref. 1602). Feeds mainly on fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans (Ref. 9823).