Argus Wrasse

Young green when in seagrasses and greenish brown on reefs. Recognized by the unusual color patterns on the cheek or the black spotted scales over the back (Ref. 48636). Preserved male specimens with pale spots on scales; dark spot behind eye (continuous with a bifurcating dark band which extends ventrally); another on opercle; a dark band on snout from upper lip to eye; head with bands; spot on upper caudal base may be present or absent (present in females). Anterior lateral line scales with 1-3 pores (usually 2); 5-6 suborbital pores. Anterior dorsal and anal soft rays longer than posterior rays; pelvic fins of males relatively short, not reaching anus.

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 11 - 12; Vertebrae: 25

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Found usually in groups (Ref. 90102) in shallow coastal reefs and seagrass flats (Ref. 9710), also in algae-rocky reef flats and lagoons (Ref. 48636).

Found usually in groups (Ref. 90102) in shallow coastal reefs and seagrass flats (Ref. 9710), also in algae-rocky reef flats and lagoons (Ref. 48636).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: very high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

分布於印度-西太平洋區，由斯里蘭卡到斐濟及東加，北至日本琉球與台灣，南至澳洲北部海域等。台灣各地岩礁海域皆有分布。

小型之隆頭魚，體色鮮豔，是較適合水族觀賞的魚類，但它常會鑽入砂中，不易讓人們看見。可食用，但個體小，較無食用價值。

體延長，側扁。吻較長，尖突。前鼻孔具短管。口小；上頜有犬齒四枚，外側兩枚向後方彎曲。前鰓蓋後緣具鋸齒；鰓蓋膜常與峽部相連。體被中大圓鱗，胸部鱗片小於體側，頰部無鱗；背鰭與臀鰭無鞘鱗；側線完全，在尾柄前方急劇向下降。D. IX, 11-12；A. III, 11-12；P. 14；L.l. 27+1；G.R.17-19；背鰭前方之硬棘較後方者為短；尾鰭圓形。體色隨性別與個體而異，雄魚體暗綠色；每一鱗片末端具一瞳孔般大小的淡點；背鰭與臀鰭亦具成縱列的淡點；頭暗綠色，眼前至上唇具一紅紋，眼下方具一環形的紅紋，與眼下緣及鰓蓋骨下緣相切，此環紋後緣至鰓蓋後上角另具一紅紋，眼後具不規則的紅紋；尾鰭亦具淡點。雌魚體呈橄欖綠，體側具8-9條淡色點狀縱帶，背鰭與臀鰭亦具成縱列的淡點；吻端至眼前具一暗色縱紋；眼後具不規則的紅紋；背鰭前端具一小型眼斑，中部另具一大型眼斑；尾柄側線上方另具一小型眼斑。以前所記載之里巴海豬魚 (/Halichoeres leparensis/i>)為本種雌魚之誤鑑。/

主要棲息於有綠色藻類且水流較平緩的岩礁或珊瑚礁海域，水深在1-12公尺左右。其遍體紫綠在綠色的水中森林裡就是最佳保護色。白天活動覓食底棲性動物，夜晚則潛沙而眠。具性轉變的行為，是屬於先雌後雄型的型態。

Halichoeres argus, or the Argus wrasse, is a species of salt water wrasse found in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean from Sri Lanka to Fiji and Tonga, then north to Taiwan, south to northern Australia.