Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Labriformes (Order) > Labroidei (Suborder) > Labridae (Family) > Stethojulis (Genus)

Vieille à tache rouge, Banda wrasse, Bluelined wrasse, Dotted rainbowfish, Orange-axil wrasse, Red shoulder wrasse, Red spot wrasse, Red-spot rainbowfish, Vieja manja roja, Aka-obibera, アカオビベラ, 線紋紫胸魚, 黑星紫胸魚, 주황점무지개놀래기,

Synonymes
Halichoeres bandanensis (Bleeker, 1851)
Julis bandanensis (Bleeker, 1851)
Stethojulis bananensis (Bleeker, 1851)
Stethojulis fulvoventris (Seale, 1901)
Stethojulis linearis (Schultz, 1960)
Stethojulis rubromacula (Scott, 1959)

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Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12 (usually: 11); Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11; Pectoral fin rays: 14-15 (usually: 14); Lateral line scale: 25; Gill rakers: 27-30. Body moderately slender, its depth: 2.9-3.3 times in standard length. Dorsal profile of head convex; Anterior tip of head forming an acute angle; Jaws and mouth small; Teeth small and incisiform, none notably enlarged; Canine tooth present at rearof upper jaw. Dorsal fin continuous; Spines and anterior soft rays of similar length; Pectoral fins long, the fin base aligned at about a 30° angle to long axis; Caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded. Lateral line abruptly curved below posterior portion of dorsal-fin base, with 25 pored scales. Scales reaching slightly onto bases of dorsal and anal fins; Scales on thorax about 1/2 the size of those on body; Head without scales. Max. length: 15.0 cm TL (male), 8.0 cm TL (female). Depth range: 3 - 30 m.

Color
Initial phase: dark grey with upper half of body finely dotted with white speckles, lower half of body with basal portion of scales a darker grey; A bright red spot above upper base of pectoral fins; 1-3 (usually: 2) small, blue-edged black spots midlaterally at rear of caudal peduncle.
Terminal phase male: body blue-grey to green dorsally, abruptly pale blue ventrally, the 2 zones separated by a blue line running the length of body; A crescent-shaped bright red spot above pectoral-fin base; Four blue lines on head, the uppermost passing along base of dorsal fin, the second stopping on nape, the third rimming upper edge of red spot and continuing onto front third of body, the fourth on lower head, then angling upward to join lateral blue line of body.

Etymology
Stethojulis: from Greek, stetho, stethion = brest or chest + from Greek, julis, original genus of several species Günther moved to Stethojulis. Referring to thoracic scales as large as, or larger, than those on sides.
bandanensis: from Banda Neira, Banda Islands, Indonesia, type locality.
Original description: Julis bandanensis Bleeker, 1851 - Type locality: Banda Neira, Banda Islands, Indonesia.

Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean, western Pacific: Christmas and Cocos-Keeling islands and Indonesia east to Line Islands and French Polynesia, north to Korea and southern Japan, south to Rottnest Island (Western Australia), Merimbula (New South Wales, Australia), New Caledonia and Kermadec Islands; Clipperton Island and Revillagigedo Archipelago (Mexico).

Biology
Usually found in shallow clear water of reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas of mixed sand, rubble and coral. Usually solitary or in small groups. Feeds mainly on demersal planktonic crustaceans and small benthic invertebrates. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. One of the most maneuverable and rapid swimmers of the Labridae, using rapid beats of the pectoral fins for propulsion. Not often found in markets, rarely seen in the aquarium trade.

Similar species
Stethojulis albovittata (Bonnaterre, 1788) - Reported from Red Sea, western Indian Ocean: East Africa, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), Socotra, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Maldives and Chagos Archipelago; Possibly Sri Lanka and east to Indonesia.
Stethojulis balteata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) - Reported from Central Pacific: Johnston Atoll and Hawaiian Islands.
Stethojulis strigiventer (Bennett, 1833) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here). Terminal males are similar.