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Chainlink wrasse (Halichoeres leucurus) — Labridae

Chainlink wrasse

Halichoeres leucurus
Family: Labridae

The Chainlink wrasse (Halichoeres leucurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Chainlink wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm. A green chain pattern runs along the flank on a pale ground. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches sand and reef bottoms for small invertebrates; when threatened or at night it dives into the sand. It changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chainlink wrasse?

The Chainlink wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Chainlink wrasse live?

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

How big does the Chainlink wrasse get?

The Chainlink wrasse grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Chainlink wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Chainlink wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ketting-lipvis sourced
English name
Chainlink wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres leucurus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Chain-lined wrasse; Greyhead wrasse; Grey-head wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 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
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Halichoeres

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Argus wrasse
Halichoeres argus
Labridae
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Bubblefin wrasse
Halichoeres nigrescens
Labridae
 Bleeker's wrasse (Halichoeres bleekeri) — Labridae
Bleeker's wrasse
Halichoeres bleekeri
Labridae
 Pale wrasse (Halichoeres pallidus) — Labridae
Pale wrasse
Halichoeres pallidus
Labridae
 Chinese wrasse (Halichoeres tenuispinis) — Labridae
Chinese wrasse
Halichoeres tenuispinis
Labridae
 Cheekring wrasse (Halichoeres miniatus) — Labridae
Cheekring wrasse
Halichoeres miniatus
Labridae

More from the family Labridae

Eightline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus octotaenia) — Labridae
Eightline wrasse
Pseudocheilinus octotaenia
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Blackbar hogfish
Bodianus speciosus
Labridae
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Labropsis alleni
Labridae
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Dotalabrus alleni
Labridae
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Choerodon anchorago
Labridae
 Argus wrasse (Halichoeres argus) — Labridae
Argus wrasse
Halichoeres argus
Labridae
 African coris (Coris atlantica) — Labridae
African coris
Coris atlantica
Labridae
 Comb wrasse (Coris picta) — Labridae
Comb wrasse
Coris picta
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