Macropharyngodon meleagris (Valenciennes, 1839)
Blackspotted wrasse
Bankilan,  Blackspotted wrasse,  Lulukdayan,  Balaki,  Banog,  Bungat,  Buntogon,  Danlugan,  Isdang bato,  Labayan,  Lampalampa,  Lubay-lubay,  Lubayan,  Maming,  Maringyan,  Molmol,  Mul-mul,  Pilo-pilo,  Pirat-pirat,  Tamago,  Tausay,  Verde verde
Macropharyngodon meleagris
photo by Yin, Robert

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  15 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to western Pacific and islands of Oceania.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 25-25. Color in life of young and females whitish to greenish with irregular black spots; males orange-red with greenish yellow spots (edged in blue and black, per scale); head spotted and banded. Anterior lateral line scales with 2-4 pores. Pelvic fins short, not reaching anus.
Biology:  Inhabits subtidal reef flats and outer lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Usually in areas with mixed sand, rubble, and coral (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on gastropods, other hard-shelled prey (Ref. 9823), and foraminiferans (Ref. 37816). Rarely marketed.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Surigao City, Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Ref. 58652), TaƱon Strait (Ref. 107276), Calatagan, Batangas (Ref. 107852), Nasugbu (Ref. 107853), Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756), and Bantayan Is. in northern Cebu (Ref. 114734). Also Ref. 2694, 53416, 121724.


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