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Black wrasse (Halichoeres adustus) — Labridae

Black wrasse

Halichoeres adustus
Family: Labridae

The Black wrasse (Halichoeres adustus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–3.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Galapagos Is., Cocos I. (C.R.), Revillagigedo A.

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Description

The black wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Pacific, around remote islands such as the Galapagos and Cocos. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a mostly dark to black body with fine pale lines on the head. As a reef-dweller it swims by day over rocky reefs and picks small invertebrates; at night it buries itself in the sand. Like many wrasses it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black wrasse?

The Black wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Black wrasse live?

The Black wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Galapagos Is., Cocos I. (C.R.), Revillagigedo A.

How big does the Black wrasse get?

The Black wrasse grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Black wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Black wrasse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Black wrasse (Halichoeres adustus) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Billy Bensted-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black wrasse (Halichoeres adustus) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Black wrasse (Halichoeres adustus) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Alberto Alcalá (CC BY 4.0)
Black wrasse (Halichoeres adustus) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Billy Bensted-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Black wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres adustus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Black wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Galapagos Is., Cocos I. (C.R.), Revillagigedo A. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates 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

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Halichoeres

More from the family Labridae

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