Goldstripe wrasse
Halichoeres zeylonicus
Max. length, 20 cm.
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. Females light bluish gray dorsally, white ventrally, with a narrow orange stripe running from the top of the snout to the upper base of the caudal fin (where it may contain a blackish spot). Males blue-green on head and anterior portions of the body with irregular pink band and spots; their orange-yellow lateral stripe blue-edged, often with narrow extensions; a blue-edged spot at the upper portion of the pectoral fin base, and two or more similar blue-edged spots just anterior of the caudal peduncle above the lateral stripe.
Reef-associated, 10-40 m range. Inhabits open sand and rubble areas of seaward reefs, to depths greater than 34 m. Usually in small groups of females with single males patrolling the area.
Distribution; Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf; Red Sea and the Gulf to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef. Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. Females light bluish gray dorsally, white ventrally, with a narrow orange stripe running from the top of the snout to the upper base of the caudal fin (where it may contain a blackish spot). Males blue-green on head and anterior portions of the body with irregular pink band and spots; their orange-yellow lateral stripe blue-edged, often with narrow extensions; a blue-edged spot at the upper portion of the pectoral fin base, and two or more similar blue-edged spots just anterior of the caudal peduncle above the lateral stripe.
Reef-associated, 10-40 m range. Inhabits open sand and rubble areas of seaward reefs, to depths greater than 34 m. Usually in small groups of females with single males patrolling the area.
Distribution; Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf; Red Sea and the Gulf to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef. Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique
