Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Thalassoma Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Family Labridae Higher classification Thalassoma | |
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Scientific name Thalassoma quinquevittatum Similar Wrasse, Thalassoma, Jansen's wrasse, Yellow‑brown wrasse, Sixbar wrasse | ||
The fivestripe wrasse, Thalassoma quinquevittatum, is a species of wrasse.
Contents
Etymology
The genus name derives from the Greek thalassa meaning sea and soma meaning body. The Latin species name quinquevittatum means "five stripes".
Description
Thalassoma quinquevittatum can reach 17 cm (6.7 in) in total length. These colorful reef fishes have a complex and quite variable color pattern. The basic color of the body is green with longitudinal red or purple stripes, while the head shows various curved purplish lines and spots. Males change their color during courtship and while they defend their territory. These fishes sometimes interbreed with Thalassoma duperrey. The fivestripe wrasse can be found in the aquarium trade.
Distribution
This species is native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.
Habitat
The fivestripe wrasse is an inhabitant of coral reefs in quite shallow water of 1 to 5 m (3.3 to 16.4 ft) in depth. It seems to particularly like areas with surge channels, plentiful algal growth, and Acropora coral plates.