Halichoeres vrolikii, often referred to by its synonym H. hoevenii, is one of a complex group of similar species, the only one known from the Maldives, which has made accurate identification difficult in the past.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 13 cm
color
Females orange and blue striped, with 3 blue ringed black spots, at the front of the dorsal, in the middle of dorsal and at upper caudal base. Male green with pink bands on head, and yellow pectoral fin base with a triangular black spot on its upper part.
This species is typically located in reef flats, reef slopes, shallow lagoons and reef channels, with a maximum depth of 27 m. Its diet consists of small benthic creatures.
distinctive characters
The dorsal fin has nine spines and twelve rays, the anal fin has three spines and twelve rays, and the pectoral fin has fourteen rays. The body depth is approximately 3.0-3.4 inches in standard length.