Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Labridae (Wrasses)
Etymology: Gomphosus: Greek, gomphos = nail; also molar tooth. More on author: Lacepède.
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 30 m (Ref. 27115), usually 2 - 30 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 27115); 30°N - 30°S, 43°E - 143°W
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9823)
Indo-Pacific: Cocos-Keeling to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean and Lord Howe and Rapa islands. Replaced by Gomphosus caeruleus in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 37816). Hybrid with Thalassoma lunare documented from Cassini Island, Western Australia and reported from the Great Barrier Reef; with Thalassoma duperrey, observed from Hawaii (Ref. 57557).
Found in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of at least 30 m (Ref. 1602, 58302). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on small benthic crustaceans, sometimes on small fishes, brittle stars, and mollusks (Ref. 2334).
Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene, 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 506 p.
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 90363)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
More information
Common namesSynonymsMetabolismPredatorsEcotoxicologyReproductionMaturitySpawningFecundityEggsEgg development
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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Estimates of some properties based on empirical models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.7500 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00680 (-0.10527 - 0.11888), b=2.94496 (2.87263 - 3.01728), based on LWR estimates for species & family-BS (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 3.6 ±0.6 se; Based on diet studies.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (45 of 100) .