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Crimsonband wrasse (Notolabrus gymnogenis) — Labridae

Crimsonband wrasse

Notolabrus gymnogenis
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Crimsonband wrasse (Notolabrus gymnogenis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Temperate coastal waters of eastern Australia; coastal reefs.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The crimsonband wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the temperate coastal waters of eastern Australia. The species changes colour strongly with life stage: females are red-brown with spots, while large males bear a conspicuous crimson band around the rear of the body, to which the name refers. It is a common inhabitant of coastal reefs, usually from about 15 m but possibly much deeper. As a bottom predator it feeds on molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins. Like many wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crimsonband wrasse?

The Crimsonband wrasse has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Male with a crimson band around the rear of the body; protogynous hermaphrodite of coastal reefs.

Where does the Crimsonband wrasse live?

The Crimsonband wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Temperate coastal waters of eastern Australia; coastal reefs.

How big does the Crimsonband wrasse get?

The Crimsonband wrasse grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Crimsonband wrasse dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Crimsonband wrasse edible?

The Crimsonband wrasse is rarely eaten.

More photos

Crimsonband wrasse (Notolabrus gymnogenis) — Labridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Bruce Deagle (CC BY 4.0)
Crimsonband wrasse (Notolabrus gymnogenis) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Harry Rosenthal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Crimsonband wrasse (Notolabrus gymnogenis) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Bruce Deagle (CC BY 4.0)
Crimsonband wrasse (Notolabrus gymnogenis) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) janetsclough, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Crimsonband wrasse verified
Scientific name
Notolabrus gymnogenis
Family
Labridae
Other names
Crimson-banded parrot-fish; Spotted rainbowfish; White-spotted rainbow-fish; Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Temperate coastal waters of eastern Australia; coastal reefs. 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
Male with a crimson band around the rear of the body; protogynous hermaphrodite of coastal reefs. 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 Notolabrus

More from the family Labridae

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