LABRIDAE Halichoeres argus, 4.9 cm SL (initial phase; photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Halichoeres argus, 6.9 cm SL (terminal phase; photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Halichoeres argus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) Argus Wrasse D IX, 11-12; A III, 11-12; P1 14; LLp 27; GR 17-19. Body slightly elongate, compressed. Mouth terminal, small; 2 pairs of prominent canines situated anteriorly in each jaw; a large curved canine present on each side at rear of upper jaw; pharyngeal teeth well developed, molariform. Dorsal-fin origin above posterior tip of opercular margin. Head naked. Lateral line complete, abruptly bending downward beneath posterior part of dorsal-fin to a straight mid-lateral portion on caudal peduncle. Pelvic fins relatively short, not reaching to anus; caudal fin moderately rounded. Color: initial phase with dusky orange-brown stripes following scale rows alternating with whitish or pale interspaces; most of scales dorsally above lateral line with blackish centers; edges of scales in about 5-6 discrete zones on side dusky to blackish, thus forming diffuse dark bars on body; an orange-brown band on side of snout; a vertically elongate dark brown spot behind eye followed by irregular horizontal dusky-orange bands; 2 paleedged black spots on dorsal fin, the first on membrane between first and second dorsal spines, and a second larger spot on soft portion of dorsal fin between second and third rays; another small pale-edged black spot on upper caudal base. Terminal phase body below lateral line orange brown with a red spot, edged with blue and black, on each scale; body above lateral line brownish green with a black spot on each scale, this pattern interrupted in 5 places by whitish bars; a orangered band, narrowly edged with black and blue, on side of snout; a vertically elongate orange-red spot behind eye variously continuous with bands of similar color on cheek and operculum; dorsal and anal fins brownish orange with 2 rows of bluish-edged olive spots. Size: maximum length about 11 cm. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, from Sri Lanka to Fiji, north to Taiwan, south to northern Australia. Remarks: found in shallow coastal reefs. Feeds on benthic invertebrates.