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Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) — Labridae

Checkerboard wrasse

Halichoeres hortulanus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; sand flats of lagoons and seaward reefs to 30 m.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The checkerboard wrasse is a colourful wrasse of the family Labridae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 27 cm and owes its name to the checkerboard pattern of white scales with dark edges, complemented by green and yellow tints and a yellow blotch on the back. It inhabits sand patches of lagoon and seaward reefs to at least 30 metres; juveniles are common on the bottom of surge channels. The fish feeds on hard-shelled prey such as molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins. Like many wrasses it changes sex during life, from female to male. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Checkerboard wrasse?

The Checkerboard wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a marbled pattern. Chequerboard pattern of white with dark-edged scales; changes sex during its life.

Where does the Checkerboard wrasse live?

The Checkerboard wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; sand flats of lagoons and seaward reefs to 30 m.

How big does the Checkerboard wrasse get?

The Checkerboard wrasse grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Checkerboard wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Checkerboard wrasse is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Checkerboard wrasse edible?

The Checkerboard wrasse is rarely eaten.

More photos

Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Francois Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) — Labridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rob (CC BY 2.0)
Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Francois Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Checkerboard wrasse verified
Scientific name
Halichoeres hortulanus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Checkerboard wrasse; Fourspot wrasse; Chequered wrasse; Four-spot wrasse; Goldstripe wrasse; Rainbowfish; Wall wrasse; Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; sand flats of lagoons and seaward reefs to 30 m. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Chequerboard pattern of white with dark-edged scales; changes sex during its life. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Halichoeres

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