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Oxycheilinus digramma (Lacepède, 1801)
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Oxycheilinus digramma (Lacepède, 1801)
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2020 John Nevill.
Genus: , ,

Scientific Name: Oxycheilinus digramma

English Name: Cheeklined wrasse

Creole Name: Kakatwa varer

French Name: Vieille barbe noire

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)



Information

Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8-11.

Moderately deep bodied wrasse. Profile of head slightly concave to above eye, then convex. Lower jaw projecting. 2 strong canines situated anteriorly in each jaw. Dorsal fin 
continuous. Caudal fin slightly rounded to truncate or slightly double emarginate.

Colour. Considerable variation in colour pattern. Head, dorsal and upper flanks olivaceous lower flanks and ventrally reddish-brown to orange red. Has a distinctive series 
of parallel diagonal red to maroon lines on lower posterior part of operculum; orange-red lines extending from eye (except ventrally). Each scale, at least dorsally on sides, 
with a vertically elongate red spot. Caudal fin blue to green.


Size:

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


Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits lagoon and sheltered seaward reefs in coral rich areas (depth 3-60 m and possibly as deep as 120 m). Solitary. Feeds on hard-shelled molluscs, crustaceans, sea 
urchins and small fish. It has been observed to swim with a group of goatfish, change its colour to resemble these fish, and dart out from the group to capture small fish. 
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, but is an uncommon component of the catch.


Notes:

 

 


References:

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Oxycheilinus-digramma (05/06/19).
Liu, M. & To, A. (2010). Oxycheilinus digramma. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187466A8542656.en.  (29/03/20).
Randall, J.E. (1986). Labridae. p. 683-706. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Oxycheilinus digramma, Cheeklined wrasse. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/oxycheilinus-digramma-lacepede-1801/ (edited 13/07/22). 


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