• EnglishName: Sharpnosecave wrasse
  • Local Name : Hohalha hikaa
  • Size : Max. 8 cm
  • Family: LABRIDAE
  • Order : Perciformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 10 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays. Pectoral fin with 12 rays. Body depth 2.6-3.2 in standard length. Lateral line interrupted.
  • Colour: Ground colour brown. A dark edged yellow bar on head and behind and adjacent to eye and a second one at front of caudal peduncle. Juveniles, in addition, with 2 broad pale bars on body. Black spots on fins and ventrally on abdomen.
  • Habitat and Biology: Commonly found on caves and crevices to depths of 40 m.
  • Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
  • Remarks: Wetmorella nigropinnata is rarely seen by divers due to its cryptic habits. W. philippina Fowler and Bean, W. ocellata Schultz and Marshall, and W. triocellata Schultz and Marshall are synonyms of Wetmorella nigropinnata.
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Biodiversity of Maldives
Biodiversity of Maldives