Home · Labridae · Australian maori-wrasse
Australian maori-wrasse (Ophthalmolepis lineolata) — Labridae

Australian maori-wrasse

Ophthalmolepis lineolata
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Australian maori-wrasse (Ophthalmolepis lineolata) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Australia; coastal bays to more distant reefs.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Want the complete picture on the Australian maori-wrasse?

Get the app

Description

The Maori wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the waters around southern Australia. The species has an elongate body with blue-grey and yellow tints and characteristic, winding blue lines over the head and flank. It occurs from coastal bays to offshore reefs, often in loose aggregations. With its small mouth it picks small bottom invertebrates from the reef and bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian maori-wrasse?

The Australian maori-wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Winding fine blue lines on head and flank; reef-dwelling wrasse of southern Australia.

Where does the Australian maori-wrasse live?

The Australian maori-wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southern Australia; coastal bays to more distant reefs.

How big does the Australian maori-wrasse get?

The Australian maori-wrasse grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Australian maori-wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Australian maori-wrasse is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Australian maori-wrasse edible?

The Australian maori-wrasse is rarely eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Australian maori-wrasse?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Australian maori-wrasse is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Australian maori-wrasse verified
Scientific name
Ophthalmolepis lineolata
Family
Labridae
Other names
Butcher's prick; Maori; Maori parrotfish; Maori wrasse; Rainbow-fish; Southern maori wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Southern Australia; coastal bays to more distant reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates from reef and bottom sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Winding fine blue lines on head and flank; reef-dwelling wrasse of southern Australia. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Labridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Australian maori-wrasse?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Australian maori-wrasse is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Australian maori-wrasse? Get the app