Family : Labridae (Wrasses) , subfamily: Corinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Cigar wrasse
Fish Name : Cheilio inermis
Max size : 50.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9823)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 1 - 30 m
Climate : tropical; 24 - 27°C; 30°N - 30°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Easter islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Young individuals are usually a mottled brown or green, sometimes with a broad lateral stripe (Ref. 1602). Rare individuals may be uniformly yellow (Ref. 1602). Large males may develop a bright yellow, orange, black, white, or multicolored patch on their sides behind their pectoral fins (Ref. 1602).
Biology : Inhabit seagrass beds and algal-covered flats, occasionally in lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of at least 30 m (Ref. 1602, 41878, 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Usually solitary. Juveniles secretive in seagrasses or attached Sargassum; adults usually in small loose aggregations, but occasionally form large schools to spawn (Ref. 48636). Feed mainly on crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins (Ref. 37816) and other hard-shelled prey
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Westneat, Mark
Main Ref : Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990. (Ref. 2334)

India country information
Common Names : കോലന് ഞോള, നുവച്ചുളം, നുവചുളം , കൊലസ്  ഞൊള, Iholi, Kolas-nhola, Nuvachulam
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses