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Geographic wrasse (Anampses geographicus) — Labridae

Geographic wrasse

Anampses geographicus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Geographic wrasse (Anampses geographicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Indian and western Pacific, around Australia and Indonesia.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The geographic wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Indian and western Pacific Ocean, around Australia and Indonesia. The species reaches about 31 cm and owes its name to the intricate pattern of blue lines and spots on a green-brown background, reminiscent of a map. It inhabits shallow coral reefs, often in weedy areas, and feeds on small bottom invertebrates. Like other Anampses wrasses the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The young are carried by currents to subtropical zones during their pelagic phase. It is occasionally seen in fish markets or the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Geographic wrasse?

The Geographic wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern. Intricate pattern of lines and blotches (hence 'geographicus'); protogynous hermaphrodite.

Where does the Geographic wrasse live?

The Geographic wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Indian and western Pacific, around Australia and Indonesia.

How big does the Geographic wrasse get?

The Geographic wrasse grows to a maximum of about 31 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Geographic wrasse dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Geographic wrasse edible?

The Geographic wrasse is rarely eaten.

More photos

Geographic wrasse (Anampses geographicus) — Labridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Geographic wrasse (Anampses geographicus) — Labridae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Geographic wrasse (Anampses geographicus) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Geographic wrasse (Anampses geographicus) — Labridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Geographic wrasse verified
Scientific name
Anampses geographicus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Geographic wrasse; Olive-green wrasse; Lined chisel-tooth wrasse; Scribbled chisel-toothed wrasse; Scribbled wrasse; Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Spots 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Indian and western Pacific, around Australia and Indonesia. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates 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
Intricate pattern of lines and blotches (hence 'geographicus'); protogynous hermaphrodite. 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

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