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Brownspotted wrasse (Notolabrus parilus) — Labridae

Brownspotted wrasse

Notolabrus parilus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Brownspotted wrasse (Notolabrus parilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Australia
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The brownspotted wrasse is a wrasse from the waters of southern Australia, ranging from Victoria and South Australia to southern Western Australia. The species grows to about 41 cm and has a streamlined body with a pattern of brown spots. It lives on rocky reefs in temperate coastal water and feeds on benthic invertebrates, which it crushes with its strong jaws. Like many wrasses the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, starting as a female and later able to change into a male. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brownspotted wrasse?

The Brownspotted wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Pattern of brown blotches; protogynous hermaphrodite

Where does the Brownspotted wrasse live?

The Brownspotted wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Southern Australia

How big does the Brownspotted wrasse get?

The Brownspotted wrasse grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.

Is the Brownspotted wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Brownspotted 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.

Is the Brownspotted wrasse edible?

The Brownspotted wrasse is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Brownspotted wrasse verified
Scientific name
Notolabrus parilus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Brownspotted wrasse; Orangespotted wrasse; Brown-spotted parrotfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Southern Australia verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Resident fish on rocky reefs; protogynous hermaphrodite. sourced
Special features
Pattern of brown blotches; protogynous hermaphrodite sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with shellfish or shrimp near rocky reef. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Notolabrus

More from the family Labridae

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