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.
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.