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Blue-fin wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens) — Labridae

Blue-fin wrasse

Thalassoma lutescens
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-fin wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; clear lagoon and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellow-brown wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species is handsomely coloured; adult males are green-blue with yellow tints and pink lines on the head, females more yellowish. It occurs in groups on clear outer lagoon and seaward reefs, over open sand and rubble. With its jaws it seeks small bottom animals such as crustaceans, molluscs and worms. It is protogynous: females can change into males. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-fin wrasse?

The Blue-fin wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Green-blue male with yellow tints; plankton-free bottom forager, protogynous.

Where does the Blue-fin wrasse live?

The Blue-fin wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; clear lagoon and seaward reefs.

How big does the Blue-fin wrasse get?

The Blue-fin wrasse grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Blue-fin wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-fin wrasse is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-fin wrasse edible?

Yes, the Blue-fin wrasse is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue-fin wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-fin wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-fin wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Kimon Berlin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Blue-fin wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) seacologynz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-fin wrasse verified
Scientific name
Thalassoma lutescens
Family
Labridae
Other names
Green moon wrasse; Lime green wrasse; Parrotfish; Surge wrasse; Sunset wrasse; Yellow-brown wrasse; Whistling daughter; Wrasse; Yellow moon wrasse; Yellow wrasse; Yellow-green wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; clear lagoon and seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic animals: crustaceans, molluscs and worms 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
Green-blue male with yellow tints; plankton-free bottom forager, protogynous. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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

Same genus Thalassoma

More from the family Labridae

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