LABRIDAE


Halichoeres kallochroma, 7.8 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Halichoeres kallochroma
(Bleeker, 1853)
Blue-green Lined Wrasse

D IX, 13; A III, 12; P1 14; LLp 27; GR 19-20.

Body moderately elongate, compressed. Dorsal profile of head slightly convex in front of dorsal fin, nearly straight anteriorly, and slightly concave in front of eye; Mouth terminal, small; a single pair of prominent canines situated anteriorly in each jaw; a large curved canine present on each side at rear of upper jaw; pharyngeal teeth well developed, molariform. Dorsal- fin origin above base of pectoral fins. Predorsal scales slightly anterior to a vertical at posterior edge of eyes; rest of head naked. Lateral line complete. Pelvic fins relatively long, reaching anal-fin origin; caudal fin rounded. Color: initial phase with alternating narrow grayish blue and yellow stripes which continue onto head; dorsal fin with an ocellus, black with thin blue rim, in center; a similar second ocellus on upper caudal-fin base. Terminal males with narrow greenish brown to greenish yellow stripes, and dark bluegreen scale centers forming broader longitudinal stripes; head brownish red with thin irregular bright blue stripes, some on side of cheek broken into spots; thorax with a few thin bright blue stripes; a dark triangular spot at upper pectoral base; pectoral fin greenish; dorsal and anal fins orange brown with irregular thin blue lines; caudal fin orange brown with irregular vertical thin blue lines, upper and lower lobes of caudal pale blue. Size: maximum length about 15 cm. Distribution: restricted distribution, presently known only from the Andaman Sea to western Sumatra. Remarks: found on reefs in areas of rich coral growth to at least 15 m depth.