Elegant Wrasse, Anampses elegans Ogilby 1889

Other Names: Elegans Wrasse

Summary:

The striking males are brownish above with an yellowish-orange mid lateral stripe separating the blue lower sides, a yellow spot on the gill cover, a yellow tail and dark stripes through the eyes. Females are light brown with a faint blue spot on each scale above the lateral line and about 7 indistinct golden stripes along the sides, dark stripes through the eyes, and a silvery chin.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2022, Anampses elegans in Fishes of Australia, accessed 19 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/1218

Elegant Wrasse, Anampses elegans Ogilby 1889

More Info

Distribution	Broughton Island to southern New South Wales, especially around offshore islands; also the Lord Howe Province and Norfolk Island in the Tasman Sea. The species is relatively widespread in sub-tropical to warm temperate waters of the Tasman Sea including northern New Zealand. Inhabits rocky and coral reefs, commonly around offshore reefs and islands. Juveniles may form small schools amongst algae in coastal bays and harbours.
Feeding	Feeds mainly on crustaceans, molluscs and polycheate worms.
Etymology	The specific name is from the Latin elegans (= elegant, fine), presumably in reference to the colourful males: "Mr. Saunders collected several specimens of this handsome Anampses".
Species Citation	Anampses elegans Ogilby 1889, Memoirs of the Australian Museum 2(3): 67. Type data: Lectotype AM I.1932, Lord Howe Island.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2022
Resources	Atlas of Living Australia Australian Faunal Directory Catalog of Fishes

Elegant Wrasse, Anampses elegans Ogilby 1889

References

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Ogilby, J.D. 1889. The reptiles and fishes of Lord Howe Island. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 2(3): 51-74 pls 2-3 https://doi.org/10.3853/j.0067-1967.2.1889.481

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Randall, J.E. 1974. Notes and color illustrations of labrid fishes of the genus Anampses. Japanese Society of Ichthyology 21: 10-16.