About Halichoeres chrysus Randall, 1981
Taxonomy and Size
Halichoeres chrysus Randall, 1981 is a small wrasse that can grow to a maximum length of 12 centimeters.
Body Shape
It has a thin, elongated body with a terminal mouth.
Base Coloration
Its body is bright yellow, with slight color pattern variations that correspond to its age.
Juvenile Color Pattern
Juvenile and immature individuals have two black spots outlined in white or light yellow on their dorsal fin, plus a third black spot of the same outline between the caudal peduncle and the caudal fin.
Female and Young Male Color Pattern
Mature females and young males only have the two black spots on the dorsal fin.
Mature Male Color Pattern
Mature males only retain the first black spot on the front of the dorsal fin; they also have a lighter-colored spot just behind the eye, and irregular greenish to pinkish bars on their face.
Distribution Range
This species is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific, ranging in an area bordered by Christmas Island and Indonesia, Japan, New South Wales and the Rowley Shoals, and Tonga and the Solomon Islands.
Habitat and Depth Range
It lives on outer reef slopes, in rubble and sandy areas, from the surface down to a depth of 30 meters.
