LABRIDAE Halichoeres scapularis, 4.0 cm SL (photo by Richard Winterbottom) Halichoeres scapularis (Bennett, 1832) Zigzag Wrasse D IX, 11; A III, 11; P1 14; LLp 26; GR 17-21. Body moderately deep. 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 above upper end of gill opening. Scales on nape extending anterior to a vertical at posterior edge of eyes; a patch of small scales dorsally on opercle. Lateral line complete. Caudal fin slightly rounded. Color: initial phase light greenish to brownish yellow on back, white below, with a black stripe from eye along upper side to upper base of caudal fin, this stripe zigzag on body; a yellow stripe on side of snout, and edges of dark stripe on postorbital head yellow. Terminal males green, the more strongly zigzag stripe lavenderpink except short first part overlaid by blackish; green ventral part of body with vertical lavender-pink lines on scales; head with irregular lavenderpink bands. Size: maximum length about 20 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: inhabits reef flats and shallow lagoon reefs in areas of mixed sand, rubble or coral.