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  • EnglishName: Lemon meringue wrasse
  • Local Name : Dhon lunboa hikaa
  • Size : Max. 11 cm
  • Family: LABRIDAE
  • Order : Perciformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 12 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 12 rays. Pectoral fin with 13 rays. Body depth 3.5-3.9 in standard length. Third anal spine 4.1-4.4 in head length.
  • Colour: Yellow above, white below. Four black spots on front middle and rear of dorsal fin and caudal base. Posterior three spots lost in mature adults.
  • Habitat and Biology: Found on reefs between 10-60 m depth. Inside the atoll it is common near bottom of reef slope, where reef meets the atoll basin floor. Feeds on small benthic animals.
  • Distribution: Maldives to Western Indonesia.
  • Remarks: Halichoeres leucoxanthus, like many other wrasses, is a popular aquarium fish. This species is
    very closely related to the all yellow H. chrysus Randall of the Pacific and Eastern Indian Ocean.