The
labridae are rather close to the parrotfishes.This family is divided into small size species (Thalassoma, Halichoeres, Cirrilabrus)
and into great species (Cheilinus, Coris). Cheilinus undulatus
or mara
is a representative of this
last category, remarkable by his size, which can reach until 1m50
and more than 70 kg. The labridae are a significant component of the
fish communities of reef.
Small
labridae
| The small labridae are for the majority opportunist
carnivorous which nourish on small shellfish, fish larvae,
molluscs.... There are however planctophage species (Cirrilabrus spp.)
and species specialized in the cleaning of the parasites of the
other fishes (Labroides spp.). |
The
biology of these small labridae is very badly known. It is however
probable that most of them have a significant longevity and an
initially fast growth. The majority of these species have a
pronounced sexual
dimorphism, with change of sex according to the age
and the density, the oldest or largest individuals being males.
Big
labridae
The
large ones labridae are carnivorous. They are seldom
abundant in the atolls. Most remarkable among them, "napoleon", can
be seen in general around the passes or on big size pinnacles inside the lagoons of atoll. They are generally solitary, especially
the big size ones. They mainly consumes crabs and sea
urchins and remains in general far enough from the divers, except
in the places where they are protected or nourished.
| This species is relatively threatened in the
populated places, because in spite of its frequent toxicity, the underwater fishermen
prey upon it. Its growth being relatively
slow and its recruitment being weak, it thus is very difficult for it
to stand an even modest fishing pressure. |
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