Author: Carlson, Randall & Dawson, 2008
FBname: Latent slingjaw wrasse
Comments: This species inhabits protected inshore waters and is a protogynous hermaphrodite.  It has been observed to spawn on several occasions in Palau at Ngerikuul (Nikko Bay) and Cemetery Reef (W side of Ngeruktabel) in the late afternoon, generally about 1600 when sunset is around 1800, and not correlated with high tide.  Courtship and spawning were found to be variable; distinct from that of <i>E. insidiator</i>.  The males do not display in such an obvious manner as <i>E. insidiator</i>, but they do swim conspicuously around a putative territory, often a short distance above the bottom, but sometimes higher in the water column, presumably to be more visible to the females. The male’s courtship posture is distinctly different from that of its congener, with caudal fin folded, and the dorsal and anal fins held closely to the body. The males swim around prospective females, displaying in a very subtle manner. The spawning rush varies, ranging from a low arch to a short and relatively slow upward movement. At the time of spawning the median fins of the male are more widely spread.  Stomach contents contain remains of crabs and shrimps, and other unidentified crustaceans (Ref. 75789).  A solitary species (Ref. 90102).