Family : Labridae (Wrasses) , subfamily: Cheilininae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Snooty wrasse
Fish Name : Cheilinus oxycephalus
Max size : 17.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 30573)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 1 - 40 m
Climate : tropical; 26°N - 28°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesan and Society islands, north to Taiwan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef and the Austral Islands.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Brownish red, mottled with small whitish spots; dark brown spot anteriorly on each side of upper lip; 2 dark lines diverging from the eye; dark brown spot on 1st 2 dorsal membranes (Ref. 4392). Deep-bodied for genus, and snout pointed (Ref. 48636).
Biology : Found in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs at depths of 1 to over 40 m (Ref. 1602, 48636, 58534). A secretive species (Ref. 8631, 48636), rarely ventures more than a few centimeters from shelter (Ref. 1602). A shy species, usually found in pairs when adult (Ref. 48636)
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 : ചവരി ച്ചോരന്, ചാവരിചൊരന്, Chavarichoran
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses