LABRIDAE


Wetmorella nigropinnata, 5.1 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)



Wetmorella nigropinnata, 4.5 cm SL
(photo by Richard Witerbottom)


Wetmorella nigropinnata
(Seale, 1901)
Sharpnose Wrasse

D IX, 10; A III, 8; P1 12; LLp 13-15 + 5-7; GR 12-17.

Body moderately deep. Dorsal profile of head straight; snout pointed; mouth terminal, no large, recurved canines in jaws, 13-22 teeth in jaws that become gradually longer anteriorly. Lateral line interrupted. Head with large scale except front and side of snout; predorsal scales 5. Caudal fin rounded. Color: grey-brown to red-brown with a dark-edged yellow bar on head behind eye; a second similar bar anteriorly on caudal peduncle; an oval black spot, edged in pale blue, anteriorly in soft portion of dorsal and anal fins; pelvic fins with a large black blotch. Juveniles with 2 broad pale bars on body. Size: maximum length about 6 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from Red Sea to Marquesas and Pitcairn Islands. Remarks: a secretive species inhabiting caves and crevices in coral reefs. Feeds on benthic invertebrates.