CHEILINUS OXYCEPHALUS - (BLEEKER, 1853)
Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Perciformes (Order) > Labroidei (Suborder) > Labridae (Family) > Cheilinus (Genus)
Labre prétentieux, Labre rouge maori, Red maori wrasse, Snooty maori wrasse, Snooty wrasse, Pointhead maori-wrasse, Plain-faced maori wrasse, Pointed head maori wrasse, Point-head maori, Snob-lipvis, Maorí Carmesí, Mitsuboshimochinouo, ミツボシモチノウオ, 尖头唇鱼, 尖頭唇魚,
Synonymes
Cheilinus calophthalmus (Günther, 1867)
Cheilinus ketlitzii (Valenciennes, 1840)
Cheilinus sanguineus (Valenciennes, 1840)
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Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Pectoral fin rays: 12. Snout appears upturned due to dorsal concavity. Max. length: 17.0 cm TL. Depth range: 1 - 40 m.
Color
Brownish red, mottled with small whitish spots; Dark brown spot anteriorly on each side of upper lip; Two dark lines diverging from the eye; Dark brown spot on first two dorsal membranes.
Etymology
Cheilinus: from Greek, chèilos = lip. Referring to extensible upper lip of Cheilinus trilobatus (Lacepède, 1801).
oxycephalus: from Greek, oxus = sharp, acute, pointed + from Greek, -kephalos = head. Described as having a pointed head (“capite acuto”).
Original description: Cheilinus oxycephalus Bleeker, 1853 - Type locality: Ambon Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, South Africa, Socotra, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Marquesas Islands and Gambier Islands, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to Western Australia, Queensland (Australia), New Caledonia and Austral Islands.
Biology
Found in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs. A secretive species, rarely ventures more than a few centimeters from shelter. A shy species, usually found in pairs when adult. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Aquarium fish.
Similar species
Last update: 5, September 2022
Labre prétentieux, Labre rouge maori, Red maori wrasse, Snooty maori wrasse, Snooty wrasse, Pointhead maori-wrasse, Plain-faced maori wrasse, Pointed head maori wrasse, Point-head maori, Snob-lipvis, Maorí Carmesí, Mitsuboshimochinouo, ミツボシモチノウオ, 尖头唇鱼, 尖頭唇魚,
Synonymes
Cheilinus calophthalmus (Günther, 1867)
Cheilinus ketlitzii (Valenciennes, 1840)
Cheilinus sanguineus (Valenciennes, 1840)
---------------------------
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Pectoral fin rays: 12. Snout appears upturned due to dorsal concavity. Max. length: 17.0 cm TL. Depth range: 1 - 40 m.
Color
Brownish red, mottled with small whitish spots; Dark brown spot anteriorly on each side of upper lip; Two dark lines diverging from the eye; Dark brown spot on first two dorsal membranes.
Etymology
Cheilinus: from Greek, chèilos = lip. Referring to extensible upper lip of Cheilinus trilobatus (Lacepède, 1801).
oxycephalus: from Greek, oxus = sharp, acute, pointed + from Greek, -kephalos = head. Described as having a pointed head (“capite acuto”).
Original description: Cheilinus oxycephalus Bleeker, 1853 - Type locality: Ambon Island, Molucca Islands, Indonesia.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, South Africa, Socotra, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Marquesas Islands and Gambier Islands, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to Western Australia, Queensland (Australia), New Caledonia and Austral Islands.
Biology
Found in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs. A secretive species, rarely ventures more than a few centimeters from shelter. A shy species, usually found in pairs when adult. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Aquarium fish.
Similar species
- Cheilinus abudjubbe (Rüppell, 1835) - Reported from Red Sea; Northwestern Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden. Max. length: 21.8 cm SL.
- Cheilinus chlorourus (Bloch, 1791) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here). The only Cheilinus that has 10 dorsal spines. Large adults have numerous red spots and streaks on the head and trilobed caudal fins. Max. length: 45.0 cm TL.
- Cheilinus trilobatus (Lacepède, 1801) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here).
- Oxycheilinus bimaculatus (Valenciennes, 1840) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here). Juveniles are similar.
- Oxycheilinus nigromarginatus (Randall, Westneat & Gomon, 2003) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here).
Last update: 5, September 2022