Six Line Wrasse

Description:

For the Solomon Islands Marine Assessment (Allen 2006) it was considered moderately common at depths from 2-35 m, but only a few were seen on each dive. This species displayed cryptic habits. It was occasionally seen at Pulau Tioman Marine Park, Tioman Island, Malaysia (Yusuf et al. 2005).

Habitat:

This species occurs in seaward reefs among coral branches. It also occurs in clear coastal waters, dense coral habitats on shallow reef crest or slopes to a depth of about 20 m. It inhabits depths from 3-30 m (Brunnschweiler and Earle 2006). It usually occurs in small loose groups. This species is identified by the brightly colored line pattern and the small ocellus on the caudal fin base (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001). It is a shy species, usually swimming amongst the protection of coral branches (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001). It is commonly associated to Pocillopora (Hubble 2003). It feeds mainly on small crustaceans (Myers 1991). It is a secretive species (Myers 1999). It is known to spawn just before sunset at Miyake-jima (Izu Islands), the upward spawning dash very short and rapid, to reduce predation risk upon spawning adults by crepuscular carnivores (Kuwamura 1981).