Home · Labridae · Chainlink wrasse
Chainlink wrasse (Halichoeres leucurus) — Labridae

Chainlink wrasse

Halichoeres leucurus
Family: Labridae

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

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia and others

Want the complete picture on the Chainlink wrasse?

Get the app

Description

The Chainlink wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm. A green chain pattern runs along the flank on a pale ground. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches sand and reef bottoms for small invertebrates; when threatened or at night it dives into the sand. It changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chainlink wrasse?

The Chainlink wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Chainlink wrasse live?

The Chainlink wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia and others

How big does the Chainlink wrasse get?

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

Is the Chainlink wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Chainlink 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

Chainlink wrasse (Halichoeres leucurus) — Labridae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Chainlink wrasse (Halichoeres leucurus) — Labridae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Chainlink wrasse (Halichoeres leucurus) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Francois Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Chainlink wrasse (Halichoeres leucurus) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Chainlink wrasse?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Chainlink wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres leucurus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Chain-lined wrasse; Greyhead wrasse; Grey-head wrasse; Chain-line wrasse; Silty wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia and others 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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Chainlink wrasse?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Chainlink wrasse? Get the app