Description:

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

Medium-sized, moderately deep bodied wrasse. Prominent jaws, particularly lower jaw in large adults. Two strong canines situated anteriorly in each jaw. Dorsal fin continuous 
with spines and anterior soft rays of similar length. Pelvic fins short not reaching anus. Caudal fin rounded in juveniles, the upper and lower rays forming elongate lobes in large individuals.

Colour. Alternating dark (brown to black) and white bars on body from opercle to caudal fin. The dark bars are usually broader than the white ones and more so in large 
individuals.  Scales on flanks exhibit vertical black to grey streak. Bright red colour on snout, front of body and anterior ventral surface. Fine orange lines radiating 
from the eyes.  Pectoral fin bases white with anterior black line.
 

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 40cm SL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits coastal, lagoon and seaward reefs, usually in areas with mixed coral, sand and rubble (depth 4-60m, usually 4-40m). Juveniles are often associated with sea-grass 
beds and mangroves adjacent to coral reefs. Feeds mostly on small hard-shelled invertebrates, such as molluscs, crustaceans 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, it is also occasionally caught by hand line.
 

Notes:

 

 

References:

Bray, D.J.  Cheilinus fasciatus in Fishes of Australia, http://136.154.202.208/home/species/1918  (27/02/20).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Cheilinus-fasciatus.html (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. & Liu, M. (2010). Cheilinus fasciatus  The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187739A8617081.en. (27/02/20).

Citation:

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