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Blackear wrasse (Halichoeres melanotis) — Labridae

Blackear wrasse

Halichoeres melanotis
Family: Labridae

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

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–37.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Blackear wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from shallow reef and sand water of the eastern Pacific, from Mexico to Panama. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, greenish with a black spot behind the eye body that changes colour greatly with age and sex. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims by day over sand and reef bottoms and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms; at night it dives into the sand. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackear wrasse?

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

Where does the Blackear wrasse live?

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

How big does the Blackear wrasse get?

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

Is the Blackear wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackear wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartoor-lipvis sourced
English name
Blackear wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres melanotis
Family
Labridae
Other names
Golden 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)
8.0 verified
Max depth (m)
37.0 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

More from the family Labridae

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