In the Pacific Ocean, the closely related Anampses melanurus replaces Anampses lineatus, which has a yellow tail band instead of a white one and distinct spots on its sides.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 12 cm
color
Body orange brown with pale blue-green longitudinal lines or lines of spots on sides. Caudal fin almost black with broad white band across base. Black spot on rear tip of operculum. Males with a yellow spot on pectoral region.
Typically found in deeper reef areas, usually at depths greater than 20-30 m.
distinctive characters
The fish has a dorsal fin with nine spines and twelve rays, an anal fin with three spines and twelve rays, a pectoral fin with thirteen rays, fourteen to sixteen gill rakers on the first gill arch, and a body depth of 3.2 to 3.4 in standard length, with a rounded caudal fin.