About Halichoeres scapularis (Bennett, 1832)
Description: The zigzag wrasse is a small fish that can reach a maximum length of 20 cm. It has a thin, elongated body with a terminal mouth. Its color pattern varies depending on its stage of maturity. As a juvenile and a female, the zigzag wrasse has a pearly white base body color, with a black, yellow, or black-and-yellow zigzag stripe running along the lateral line. As a mature male, the body has very elaborate coloration. The area below the lateral line is pearly with a pinkish sheen. The original black or yellow line tends to disappear with age, or may be reduced to a short dash. The upper portion of the body is greenish with pink accents, extending to the base of the dorsal fin. The base of the dorsal fin is marked by a bright yellow line. Superimposed on this yellow line are a blue line, an additional yellow line, a green line, and finally a pinkish line on the fin itself. The iris of the eye is orange. Distribution & habitat: The zigzag wrasse is widespread across the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific. Its range extends from the eastern coast of Africa, including the Red Sea, to the Philippines, and from New Caledonia to southern Japan. The zigzag wrasse prefers mixed top reef areas made up of sand, rubble, and coral, in shallow water up to 20 meters depth.
