Rainbow slender wrasse

Male (top) and female (bottom) individual

The Slender Rainbow Wrasse ( Suezichthys arquatus ) applies to the 1957 as described by JLB Smith Suezia from priority reasons renamed in 1958 Suezichthys genus of Corinae or Julidinae within the family of wrasses. The naming Suezichthys was probably in view of the centenary of the start of construction ( 1857), the Suez Canal and less on the basis of the distribution of the genus -. Although an early type ( caudovittatus hrs 1898) appears to northern Red Sea Suezichthys arquatus but it was not until 1985 that delineated as a separate species.

Features

This small (13 cm) indoaustralische wrasse is very colorful. The species name arquatus is probably an allusion to the Rainbow ( altlat. Arquus, classic arcus; arquatus " regenbogenfärbig "). Characteristic are two oblique bands of blue Interoperculare to the lower part of the Operculare. The dorsal fin is red, back and yellowish at the base. The anal fin is dark burgundy red, the tail fin below red, yellow top. The pectoral fin rays have fine red lines, the base is yellow. The pelvic fins are blue. Often (especially for juveniles and females ) eye patch available: at the rear end of the dorsalis ( also a black spot on the front end ) and in the upper half of the tail. The hull is often yellow to crimson with (about 6 ) light or dark transverse bands or even such longitudinal ligament. The central field of each scale can be turquoise blue, and when these spots merge, arise largely turquoise individuals. Between the head and dorsal fin are five scales (rarely four or only three); behind the eye, there are two rows of scales below the eye and three on the " cheek".

The meristic ( countable ) family characteristic features include: 25 vertebrae ( and about 3 leaves per "segment", ie myotome ); (Fins formula D :) IX/11, III/10 A, P 10-11, VI / 5, C 11 In old animals (ie, male, 5-7 years old ), the caudal fin asymmetrical ( as with many also benthophagen Sciaenidae ). The side line is pretty far dorsal (on the back side: above it are only 3 rows of scales below 7).

Occurrence

Western Pacific: New Caledonia, New South Wales, Norfolk Island, New Zealand (NO Coast ), Kermadec, and Bonin Islands (Japan: Ogasawara ).

Way of life

The fish lives in the reef ( lagun ) s over sand like most related Labriden ( in 25-100 m depth). As a food fish because of its small size, it plays no significant role. Tomboys can be introduced with much more profit in the aquarium hobby.