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Green-banner wrasse (Novaculoides macrolepidotus) — Labridae

Green-banner wrasse

Novaculoides macrolepidotus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Green-banner wrasse (Novaculoides macrolepidotus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; seagrass beds and algae-rich sand flats.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The seagrass wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a strongly laterally compressed, knife-like body with large scales and can quickly adapt its colour to the vegetation. It occurs solitarily or in small groups on seagrass beds and sandy, algae-covered flats of lagoons and reefs, among which it is superbly camouflaged. With its jaw teeth it takes small invertebrates from the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Green-banner wrasse?

The Green-banner wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern. Knife-shaped body that changes colour quickly; excellently camouflaged among seagrass.

Where does the Green-banner wrasse live?

The Green-banner wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; seagrass beds and algae-rich sand flats.

How big does the Green-banner wrasse get?

The Green-banner wrasse grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Green-banner wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Green-banner wrasse is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Green-banner wrasse edible?

The Green-banner wrasse is not usually eaten.

More photos

Green-banner wrasse (Novaculoides macrolepidotus) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Nicolas Charpin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Green-banner wrasse (Novaculoides macrolepidotus) — Labridae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Green-banner wrasse (Novaculoides macrolepidotus) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Philippe Bourjon (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Green-banner wrasse (Novaculoides macrolepidotus) — Labridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Green-banner wrasse verified
Scientific name
Novaculoides macrolepidotus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Seagrass nurse; Seagrass razorfish; Seagrass wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; seagrass beds and algae-rich sand flats. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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
Knife-shaped body that changes colour quickly; excellently camouflaged among seagrass. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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

More from the family Labridae

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