LABRIDAE


Macropharyngodon ornatus, 7.1 cm SL
(photo by Richard Winterbottom)


Macropharyngodon ornatus
Randall, 1978
Ornate Wrasse

D IX, 11; A III, 11; P1 12; LLp 27; GR 15-18.

Body moderately deep. Upper jaw with 2 pairs of enlarged canines anteriorly, the first pair straight and jutting strongly forward, the second smaller with tips recurved; 4-6 small pointed teeth along side of jaw, and a very large canine posteriorly; lower jaw with 2 pairs of enlarged canines anteriorly; 7-9 small teeth on side of jaw. Head naked. Color: female reddish anteriorly, shading to blackish posteriorly, with greenish yellow spots edged in blue and black (one per scale) on body and similar spots and irregular bands on head. Male similar in color to female, with no black humeral spot; dorsal and anal fins dusky red with semicircular spots of yellowish green edged in blue and black at base of the fins, a wavy median longitudinal band of the same color, and blue margin; interspinous membranes of the first three dorsal spines black on lower part and bright red on outer part, a narrow arc of yellow separating the red and black of the second two interspinous membranes; caudal fin dusky orangered with 4 vertical rows of large blue and black-edged greenish yellow spots. Size: maximum length about 12 cm. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific. Remarks: inhabits seaward reef in areas of mixed sand, rubble, and coral at depths of 3-30 m.