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Bluethroat rainbow wrasse (Suezichthys cyanolaemus) — Labridae

Bluethroat rainbow wrasse

Suezichthys cyanolaemus
Family: Labridae

The Bluethroat rainbow wrasse (Suezichthys cyanolaemus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–6.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Bluethroat rainbow wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef, rocky and seagrass water of southern Australia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, pink with a blue throat and yellow tints body that changes colour with age and sex. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims over sand, weed and rock and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluethroat rainbow wrasse?

The Bluethroat rainbow wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Bluethroat rainbow wrasse live?

The Bluethroat rainbow wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Bluethroat rainbow wrasse get?

The Bluethroat rainbow wrasse grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Bluethroat rainbow wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluethroat rainbow 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluethroat rainbow wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Suezichthys cyanolaemus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Blue-throated wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
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 Suezichthys

More from the family Labridae

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