Paracheilinus walton Allen & Erdmann, 2006
Walton's flasherwrasse
Paracheilinus walton
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses)
Max. size:  4.07 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.89 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 18 - 45 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinct in having the following characters: pored lateral-line scales 15 + 5; gill rakers 13-14; body depth 3.0-3.4 in SL; dorsal soft rays 3-4, of males prolonged as relatively broad filaments that curve posteriorly when erected during courtship; strongly lunate caudal fin; pelvic fins in males 1.7-1.9 in HL and females 2.3 in HL; color of males overall orange-red with 4 sky-blue stripes on upper two-thirds of side and trio of similar narrow stripes/bands on head; courting males with white dorsal fin, contrasting strongly with adjacent zone of intense red (black when viewed underwater) along upper back; anal fin mainly yellow orange, its margin bright blue; caudal fin with broad blue horizontal streaks, margin pale; pelvic fins yellow orange, bright blue anterior margin (Ref. 75887).
Biology:  The area of collection (type locality) has a flat, low profile bottom at the base of a gentle (approximately 30°) slope at 34 m depth; substrate consisted of a dense mixture of spindly, branched Seriatopora hystrix coral (Pocilloporidae) and Halimeda alga. Numerous groups of this species were observed, each containing about 1-3 males and up to about 20 females. Courtship activities were common with males continuously 'flashing' a short distance above the bottom (Ref. 75887).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.