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Anampses melanurus — Details

Blacktail Wrasse learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Comprehensive Description

Biology

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Adults occur in seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Also in deep coastal to outer reef slopes and drop-offs (Ref. 48636). Solitary or in pairs in the surge zone, rarely to 30 m (Ref. 9710). They swim in small groups, each with several females and a single dominant male (Ref. 48636). Feed on small crustaceans, mollusks and polychaetes. Bury in sand at night (Ref. 9710). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Myers, R.F. 1991 Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=1602&speccode=4306

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Distribution

Range Description

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Anampses melanurus is found from Indonesia to the Marquesas and Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Myers 1991; Lieske and Myers 1994) and southern Japan (mainland Kashiwa Jima), south to Scott Reef off northwest Australia (Myers 1991).

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Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to the Marquesas and Society Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Scott Reef. Range extends to Easter Island (Ref. 9710). Closely related to Anampses lineatus from the western Indian Ocean.

Myers, R.F. 1991 Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=1602&speccode=4306

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Physical Description

Morphology

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Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 12

Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene 1990 Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 506 p. http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=2334

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Size

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Maximum size: 120 mm NG

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Max. size

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12.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710))

Lieske, E. and R. Myers 1994 Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Haper Collins Publishers, 400 p. (Ref. 9710) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=9710&speccode=13770

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Diagnostic Description

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The primary phase of this species closely resembles that of A. meleagrides, but never has a uniformly yellow tail, and the color pattern does not change much with growth or sex (Ref. 1602). Recognized by the yellow bar on the base of the tail (Ref. 48636).

Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene 1990 Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 506 p. http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=2334

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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology

The White-spotted Wrasse, Anampses melanurus, is found in deep coastal, outer-reef slopes and drop-offs. It may also be found in the surge zone to a depth of 40 m, although it is more commonly found between 15 and 30 m. This species aggregates in small groups of several females with a single dominant male. The White-spotted Wrasse feeds on small crustaceans, molluscs and polychaetes. This is a diurnal species that burrows into the sand at night.

Systems

Marine

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Depth range based on 5 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 2 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 26 - 91.5
  Temperature range (°C): 23.061 - 23.061
  Nitrate (umol/L): 4.047 - 4.047
  Salinity (PPS): 34.754 - 34.754
  Oxygen (ml/l): 3.888 - 3.888
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.466 - 0.466
  Silicate (umol/l): 4.910 - 4.910

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 26 - 91.5

Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

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Depth: 15 - 40m.
From 15 to 40 meters.

Habitat: reef-associated. Occurs in seaward reefs. Solitary or in pairs in surge zone. Feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks and polychaetes. Buries in sand at night (Ref. 9710). Distribution - South Africa and Japan to East Indies and French Polynesia.

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Environment

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reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 40 m (Ref. 27115)

Baensch, H.A. and H. Debelius 1997 Meerwasser atlas. Mergus Verlag GmbH, Postfach 86, 49302, Melle, Germany. 1216 p. 3rd edition. (Ref. 27115) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=27115&speccode=4306

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Trophic Strategy

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Occurs in seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Solitary or in pairs in the surge zone, rarely to 30 m (Ref. 9710). Feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks and polychaetes.

Lieske, E. and R. Myers 1994 Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Haper Collins Publishers, 400 p. (Ref. 9710) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=9710&speccode=13770

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Life History and Behavior

Life Cycle

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Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen 1966 Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p. (Ref. 205) http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=205&speccode=1256

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Molecular Biology and Genetics

Molecular Biology

Statistics of barcoding coverage: Anampses melanurus

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Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 11
Species: 11
Species With Barcodes: 1

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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category

LC

Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2010

Assessor/s

Cabanban, A.S. & Sadovy, Y.J.

Reviewer/s

Collen, B., Richman, N., Beresford, A., Chenery, A. & Ram, M.

Contributor/s

De Silva, R., Milligan, H., Lutz, M., Batchelor, A., Jopling, B., Kemp, K., Lewis, S., Lintott, P., Sears, J., Wilson, P., Smith, J. & Livingston, F.

Justification

Anampses melanurus has been assessed as Least Concern. This species has a fairly wide distribution and is not facing any major threats. Minor threats include collection for the aquarium trade.

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Trends

Population

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Population

There is no population information available for this species.

Population Trend

Unknown

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Threats

Threats

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Major Threats

There are no major threats known to this species. This species is occasionally collected for the aquarium trade, however it does not do well as an aquarium fish (Fenner 2009).

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Least Concern (LC)

IUCN 2006 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded July 2006. http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=57073

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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions

There are no species-specific conservation measures known. This species distribution overlaps with several marine protected areas.

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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems

Benefits

Importance

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aquarium: commercial

Burgess, W.E., H.R. Axelrod and R.E. Hunziker III 1990 Dr. Burgess's atlas of marine aquarium fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. 768 p. http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=9210

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