Family : Labridae (Wrasses) , subfamily: Corinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Zigzag wrasse
Fish Name : Halichoeres scapularis
Max size : 20.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 30573)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 2 - 10 m
Climate : tropical; 32°N - 24°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.6)Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 2334) to Papua New Guinea, north to Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-11. The initial phase is olivaceous to brownish yellow dorsally, white ventrally, with a black zigzag stripe running from eye to upper caudal peduncle (continuing anteriorly as a yellow stripe from the eye to the snout). This primary phase is similar to H. trimaculatus except for the black zigzag stripe along its back (Ref. 1602). The terminal phase is green, the zigzag stripe lavender-pink with its anterior portion overlaid by a black blotch.
Biology : Common in shallow lagoons or bays; usually over sand, rubble, or seagrass bottom (Ref. 41878), rather than on coral reefs. Usually solitary and aggressive towards members of its own species. Feeds on small crustaceans by picking them off the sandy bottom (Ref. 5503)
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 : വൈട്ടുകദിയന്, വായിട്ടുക്കടിയന്, Dong-hikkae, Donkevumas, Vayittukadiyan
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses