Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Corinae
Etymology: Thalassoma: Greek, thalassa = the sea + Greek, soma = body; the colour of the sea (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 15 m (Ref. 1602), usually 1 - 15 m (Ref. 27115). Subtropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 27115), preferred ?; 30°N - 32°S
Indo-Pacific: Somalia (Ref. 30573) and South Africa (Ref. 4392) to the Line, Marquesan, and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals, northern New Zealand and Lord Howe and Rapa islands.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 16.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9823)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 8;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 13;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 10 - 11. Juveniles easily identified by the color pattern and rounded snout. Males become brightly colored and head usually green with a yellow band following on the body (Ref. 48636). Head naked, no scales dorsally on opercle. Initial phase with a broad blackish stripe from snout through eye to caudal-fin base (Ref 9823).
Occurs in aggregations over shallow lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710) and on reef flats (Ref. 9823). Feeds mainly on crustacean zooplankton (Ref. 1602). Spawns at dusk above reefs (Ref. 90102). Rarely marketed (Ref. 2334).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene, 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 506 p. (Ref. 2334)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
More information
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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