Pastel Slender Wrasse, Hologymnosus doliatus (Lacepede, 1801)

Introduction

The Pastel Slender Wrasse is an elongate fish that can be recognised by its colouration. The species occurs in coral reef areas of the Indo-West Pacific.

Identification

The Pastel Slender Wrasse is an elongate fish that can be recognised by its colouration. Small juveniles are white with three orange-red stripes along the body.

Initial phase individuals, like that in the upper image, are blue, green or grey with 20-23 orange bars. They have a blue-black spot posteriorly on the operculum.

Terminal phase fish are blue-green to light red with lavender bars, and a pale region behind the pectoral fin. The head is blue to green with orange banding.

Habitat

The Pastel Slender Wrasse lives primarily in areas of coral reef.

Distribution

The species occurs throughout much of the tropical Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is know from north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.