Striated Wrasse

The striated wrasse (Pseudocheilinus evanidus), commonly known as the disappearing wrasse, pinstripe wrasse, or scarlet wrasse, belongs to the family Labridae, comprising various species of wrasses. This marine ray-finned fish is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region and is also available in the aquarium trade.

This species is characterized by its small size, reaching up to 9 cm (3.5 in) in total length. It exhibits a predominantly reddish hue, adorned with 24 fine longitudinal white lines on its body. Occasionally, it displays 5 to 6 dark horizontal bars. Notable features include a blue streak beneath the eye and dark margins on the gill cover. While both males and females share similar coloration and patterns, females generally exhibit less intense coloration. The striated wrasse is notable for its red fluorescence, particularly evident on the bony scales and fin rays.

Geographically, the striated wrasse is distributed across the 🌊 Indian Ocean and the Western 🌊 Pacific Ocean, from Africa to Hawaii. In the western 🌊 Indian Ocean, its range includes regions from the 🌊 Red Sea off 🇯🇴 Jordan to 🇿🇦 South Africa, with occurrences in the 🇸🇨 Seychelles, Aldabra (🇸🇨 Seychelles), Réunion, 🇲🇿 Mozambique, and Pemba in Tanzania. In the 🌊 Pacific Ocean, it is found from the Izu Islands in 🇯🇵 Japan to 🇦🇺 Australia, extending eastward to Hawaii (🇺🇸 United States) and southward to the Marquesas Islands (🇵🇫 French Polynesia).

Ecologically, the striated wrasse is a solitary and secretive benthopelagic species, residing predominantly on the seaward slopes of reefs amidst patches of rubble or branching corals at depths ranging from 6 to 40 meters (20 to 131 feet). It is infrequently found at depths shallower than 20 meters (66 feet). This carnivorous species primarily feeds on small benthic invertebrates. Reproductively, the striated wrasse is oviparous, exhibiting pairing behavior during spawning. In 🇯🇵 Japan, it is believed that breeding occurs during the summer months.