Bodianus diana is fairly common in Maldivian reefs, and its juvenile form is known as Lapidaplois aldabrensis Smith.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 25 cm
color
Juveniles brown mottled with lines of white blotches, and black spots on fins. Adults with brown head, yellow-brown sides and red-brown fins. Three small yellow spots dorsally. Black spots on pelvic, anal and caudal fins.
order
Perciformes
family
Labridae
habitat and biology
Typically found alone on the edges of coral reefs in depths ranging from 6-30 m, juveniles of this species are known to clean other fish.
distinctive characters
The dorsal fin of this species has 12 spines and 9-10 rays, the anal fin has 3 spines and 10-12 rays, the pectoral fin has 15-17 rays, the body depth is 3.1-3.3 in standard length, the snout is pointed, and the caudal fin is slightly rounded in juveniles and truncate or slightly double emarginate in adults.