Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Labriformes (Order) > Labroidei (Suborder) > Labridae (Family) > Oxycheilinus (Genus)

Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Pectoral fin rays: 12; Lateral line interrupted, 13 anterior series of pored lateral line scales, eight posterior series of pored lateral line scales; Two scale rows above lateral line; Six scale rows below lateral line; Six pre-dorsal fin scale rows; Seven gill rakers on upper limb, eight on lower limb; Snout rounded with maximum circumference: 49.8-63.5 % of Standard Length; Interorbital width: 7.7-9.2 % of SL; Caudal peduncle depth: 13.8-15.3 % of SL. Max. length: 12.0 cm TL. Depth range: 25 - 60 m.

Color
Elongate red body, slightly compressed anteriorly; Whitish lower jaw; Small elongated yellow pupil with green edge; A large deep green smudge anterodorsally on body from nape to middle of dorsal fin base; A bluish-green blotch on basal membrane between first and second dorsal fin spines; Posterior margin of caudal fin white.

Etymology
Oxycheilinus: from Greek, oxys = sharp + from Greek, cheilos = lip.
samurai: in honor of the warrior caste of 11th- to 19th-century Japan, specifically their expertise in martial arts.
Original description: Oxycheilinus samurai Fukui, Muto & Motomura 2016 - Type locality: off Nagura, Ishigaki Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 24°41'03"N, 124°11'06"E, depth: 26 meters.

Distribution
Western Pacific: Philippines and eastern Indonesia, north to Ryukyu Islands (Japan), south to Grande Terre (New Caledonia).

Similar species
Oxycheilinus orientalis (Günther, 1862) - Report from New Caledonia must be confirmed.

Last update: 16, October 2024