Halichoeres burekae

Halichoeres burekae, the Mardi Gras wrasse, is a species of wrasse native to the Gulf of Mexico. The species was first described from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary,^[1] in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, but has since been recorded in other areas of the southern Gulf of Mexico.^[2] Because it is a small species that feeds on plankton in the water column, it is likely a preferred prey for invasive Lionfish.^[3] It also has a very restricted range, and corresponding relatively small population, what resulted in this species being listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List.^{[4][failed verification]}

Halichoeres burekae
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Labriformes
Family:	Labridae
Genus:	Halichoeres
Species:	H. burekae
Binomial name
Halichoeres burekae Weaver & L. A. Rocha, 2007

Etymology

The fish is named in honor of Joyce Burek.^[5]