Halichoeres bicolor (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Pearly-spotted wrasse
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  12 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Sri Lanka to the Indo-Malayan region. A Christmas Island record is doubtful.
Diagnosis:  Mid-lateral stripe is thin when young, but widens to about eye-diameter width when adult, with series of pearly blue spots running along centre. Black spot between 6th and 7th dorsal fin spines in initial phase, usually faded in large males (Ref. 48636).
Biology:  Found solitary or in small groups (Ref. 90102) in inshore, usually silty habitat on sand or mud near shallow reefs and seagrass beds (Ref. 48636).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 June 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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