Pi250 Cheilinus
trilobatus (Tripletail wrasse)
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Teleostei
Order : Eupercaria
Family : Labridae
Genus : Cheilinus
Species
: Cheilinus trilobatus
Description:
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays
(total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished
by the following characters: body moderately deep, its depth 2.3-2.6 times in
standard length; dorsal profile of head convex; anterior tip of snout forming
an acute angle; jaws prominent, 2 strong canines situated anteriorly in each
jaw; no enlarged tooth present of rear of upper jaw. pelvic fins long, reaching
anus in small fish, well beyond in adults; centre of caudal fin rounded in
adults, with the upper and lower rays forming elongate lobes giving the fin a
trilobed appearance; lateral line interrupted below posterior portion of
dorsal-fin base, with a total of 22-23 pored scales; scales reaching well onto
bases of dorsal and anal fins; scales in front of dorsal fin extending forward
to above centre of eye; cheek and opercle scaly; lower jaw without scales. Colour
of the body variably pigmented from green to brown with mottled purple and red
markings; 4 vertical dark bars on body that are often indistinct on large
individuals; head with numerous small red spots; red lines radiating from
anterior and posterior of eye; scales on sides each with a vertical, slightly
curved red line; dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins yellow or green with distal
red streaks; caudal fin green with a red posterior margin; juveniles with 3-4
dark spots midlaterally on sides and more prominent dark bars.
IUCN
Status: Least concern
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