LABRIDAE Thalassoma hardwicke, 11.9 cm SL (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Thalassoma hardwicke (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Thalassoma hardwicke ((Bennett, 1830) Sixbar Wrasse D VIII, 13; A III, 11; P1 16; LLp 25; GR 22-25. Body moderately slender. Dorsal profile of head convex; mouth small, 2 prominent canines anteriorly in each jaw. Lateral line abruptly curved below posterior portion of dorsal-fin base; head naked except for a patch of small scales dorsally on opercle; scales on thorax about half the size of those on body. Caudal fin truncate in young, emarginate in adults. Color: initial phase light green with 6 wedge-shaped slightly diagonal dark bars (mixed blackish and red) dorsally on body which are progressively shorter posteriorly. Terminal males green dorsally, blue ventrally, the six bar solid black, the first five extending basally into dorsal fin; a midlateral pink stripe on body, more evident posteriorly; broad deep pink bands radiating from eye and 2 diagonal reddish black bands on nape. Size: maximum length about 18 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Line Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago. Remarks: inhabits shallow lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of about 15 m. Feeds on a wide variety of benthic and planktonic crustaceans.