Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 8-9; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Medium-sized wrasse with fusiform body. Complex mottled body colour with dark brown, olive and green shades with a background of 4 broad dark bars on the flank. 
Exhibits distinct white speckling on the flanks that can form pale stripes the length of the flank. Head, particularly in larger specimens, with numerous small orange-red 
spots that coalesce into lines in places particularly on the nape. Red lines radiate from posterior of eye.  Dorsal, anal and caudal fins dark green with diffuse orange-red 
margins and white spots. Posterior dorsal rays and anal rays elongated beyond length of peduncle and with a distinct orange red colour on dorsal fin. White spotting coalesces
to form pale bar on posterior of caudal peduncle. Caudal fin of adult males have upper and lower rays prolonged as filaments, in females fin is rounded.

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 45 cm TL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits lagoons and coastal reefs (depth 1-30m). Feed mainly on benthic invertebrates such as molluscs, crustaceans, polychaetes and sea urchins. Oviparous, distinct 
pairing during breeding.
 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, where it is a moderately frequent but not numerous component of the catch.

Notes:

 

 

References:

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5598 (03/06/19).
Randall, J.E. (1986). Labridae. p. 683-706. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Shea, S. et al. (2010). Cheilinus chlorourus . The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187384A8520732.en. (27/02/20).

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Cheilinus chlorourus, Floral wrasse. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/cheilinus-chlorourus-bloch-1791/ (edited 09/07/22).