Spinster wrasse

Appearance

Body moderately slender and compressed; head somewhat small and pointed; teeth caniniform, enlarged, and somewhat crooked, two anterior pairs in each jaw; posterior end of upper jaw with one protruding, forward directed canine on each side; dorsal fin continuous, with 9 spines; lateral line with 28 scales; body blue green, with a dark, vertical bar near posterior edge of pectoral fin, preceded by a very marked yellow spot; all fins except pectorals, blue, speckled with red or light colored spots and stripes.

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Panama, including the Galapagos Islands.

Behavior

Adults are solitary but juveniles form aggregations, sometimes with other species of wrasses. Hides under the sand to sleep and to seek shelter, in cases of danger.

Habitat

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 53 m, usually 3 - 27 m. Tropical; 32°N - 1°S
Found over sand and gravel bottoms near coral reefs.

Reproduction

Distinct pairing during breeding.

Food

Feeds on mollusks, brittle stars, sea urchins and crabs.