Anampses meleagrides is a beautiful species which is widespread on Maldivian reefs, and A. amboinensis Bleeker, a synonym based on the male form, is a popular aquarium fish.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 21 cm
color
Females dark brown with numerous small round dark spots, tail yellow. Males dark orange-brown with numerous fine blue markings (vertical on sides, horizontal on belly, irregular on head, spots and a white crescent posteriorly on tail).
Discovered on the outer edges of atolls. Plentiful in regions of plentiful coral growth.
distinctive characters
This 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, eighteen to twenty gill rakers on the first gill arch, a body depth of three point one to three point four in standard length, a moderately elongated body, no median predorsal scales, and a caudal fin that is truncate to emarginate.