Xenojulis margaritacea (Macleay, 1883)
Finspot wrasse
photo by Murdy, E.O./Ferraris, C.J., Jr.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses)
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 0 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines, New Guinea and Western Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 25-25. Ground color of male body burgundy, becoming paler ventrally; head irregularly striped with green and burgundy; iris yellow. Preserved females pale with 5 irregular, dusky bars on side of body; pelvic fins with 2 black spots. Fin spines pungent. Posterior preopercular margin free dorsally to about level of mouth, ventral margin free anteriorly nearly to a vertical at front edge of orbit. Long pelvic fins: reaching or nearly reaching anus in females; extending posterior to anal fin origin in males.
Biology:  Found in shallow waters with dense coral growth on coral rubble and sand, also in weedy areas.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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