Thalassoma lunare

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Moon wrasse
French : Girelle verte

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Eupercaria i. s. (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Labridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Coloration dark blue with green tinge on most flanks with faint dark purple-red vertical lines and dots on each scales. Blue pectoral fins with broad pink blotch. Yellow tail, long orange tips.

Range and habitat
Indo-Pacific, from Red Sea and East Africa to Line and Tuamoto islands, to south Japan and Lord Howe Island. Found around lagoons, coastal and protected reefs, sometimes estuaries.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is widespread and common. It could locally be vulnerable to habitat loss since it occurs near corals. Caught in large numbers for the trade, this needs to be monitored.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

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