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Guinean wrasse (Lappanella guineensis) — Labridae

Guinean wrasse

Lappanella guineensis
Family: Labridae

The Guinean wrasse (Lappanella guineensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Sierra Leone

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Description

The Guinean wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from deeper rocky and reef water of the eastern Atlantic off West Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, red-brown to pink body with fine markings. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims above rock and gravel and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guinean wrasse?

The Guinean wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Guinean wrasse live?

The Guinean wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Sierra Leone

How big does the Guinean wrasse get?

The Guinean wrasse grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Guinean wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Guinean wrasse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Guinean wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Lappanella guineensis
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Sierra Leone sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lappanella

More from the family Labridae

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