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Collared knifefish wrasse (Cymolutes torquatus) — Labridae

Collared knifefish wrasse

Cymolutes torquatus
Family: Labridae

The Collared knifefish wrasse (Cymolutes torquatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The collared knifefish wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a very slender, strongly compressed, pale body with a dark collar mark behind the head. As a dweller of sand flats near reefs it dives into the sand at lightning speed when threatened. It picks small invertebrates from the sediment. Like many wrasses it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Collared knifefish wrasse?

The Collared knifefish wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Collared knifefish wrasse live?

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

How big does the Collared knifefish wrasse get?

The Collared knifefish wrasse grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Collared knifefish wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Collared knifefish wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Halsband-mesvislipvis sourced
English name
Collared knifefish wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Cymolutes torquatus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Collared razorwrasse; Finescale razorfish; Razor wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

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 Cymolutes

More from the family Labridae

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