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Comb wrasse (Coris picta) — Labridae

Comb wrasse

Coris picta
Family: Labridae

The Comb wrasse (Coris picta) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The comb wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from temperate reef waters of southeastern Australia. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, white body with a conspicuous black longitudinal band from snout to tail. Juveniles act as cleaners. As a reef-dweller it swims actively by day over rocky and coral reefs and picks small invertebrates; at night it buries itself in the sand. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Comb wrasse?

The Comb wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Comb wrasse live?

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

How big does the Comb wrasse get?

The Comb wrasse grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Comb wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Comb wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Comb wrasse edible?

Yes, the Comb wrasse is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Australische kamlipvis sourced
English name
Comb wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Coris picta
Family
Labridae
Other names
Bananafish; Comb wrasse; Combfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Coris

More from the family Labridae

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