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Yellowhead wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) — Labridae

Yellowhead wrasse

Halichoeres garnoti
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Yellowhead wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The yellowhead wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) is a wrasse of the family Labridae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a streamlined body whose colour changes strongly with life stage: juveniles are bright yellow with a blue lateral stripe, while terminal-phase males have a yellow head and a blue-green body with a dark saddle blotch. It reaches about 19 cm and occurs on shallow and deep reefs and rocky ledges. The diet consists of various invertebrates. The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite that forms courtship leks during breeding and is constantly on the move.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowhead wrasse?

The Yellowhead wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Yellowhead wrasse live?

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

How big does the Yellowhead wrasse get?

The Yellowhead wrasse grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Yellowhead wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowhead wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellowhead wrasse edible?

The Yellowhead wrasse is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelkop-lipvis sourced
English name
Yellowhead wrasse verified
Scientific name
Halichoeres garnoti
Family
Labridae
Other names
Yellowhead Wrasse; Yellowhead wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Halichoeres

More from the family Labridae

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