LABRIDAE Halichoeres hortulanus, 10.6 cm SL (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Halichoeres hortulanus (photo by Suraphong Banchongmanee) Halichoeres hortulanus (Lacepède, 1801) Checkerboard Wrasse D IX, 11; A III, 11; P1 13-14; LLp 26; GR 20-25. Body moderately deep. Dorsal profile of head only curved convexly; jaws prominent; 2 pairs of large projecting at front of upper jaw; a large curved canine present on each side at rear of upper jaw; lower jaw with a pair of large slightly recurved canines anteriorly; pharyngeal teeth well developed, molariform. Dorsal-fin origin posterior to point midway between eye and pectoral-fin base. Lateral line complete. Small patches of scales present high on opercle, behind eye, and high on cheek. Caudal fin truncate in juvenile, slightly rounded in large males. Color: initial phase with checkerboard pattern consisting of a longitudinal series of square, black-edged white spots following scale rows; a large yellow spot on back at base of fourth and fifth dorsal-fin spines, extending onto fin; a second smaller yellow spot posteriorly in middle of soft portion of dorsal fin; head greenish yellow with irregular orange-pink bands. Male similar in pattern but ground color more green than white. Juveniles with 3 irregular broad black vertical bands across body separated by broad white interspaces; a large black spot encircled with yellow a center of dorsal fin. Size: maximum length about 27 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from Red Sea to Marquesas Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago. Remarks: found mostly on coral reefs at depths of 1-30 m. Feeds mainly on hard-shelled prey, including mollusks, crustaceans, and sea urchins.