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Bubblefin wrasse (Halichoeres nigrescens) — Labridae

Bubblefin wrasse

Halichoeres nigrescens
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bubblefin wrasse (Halichoeres nigrescens) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bubblefin wrasse is a small wrasse from the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from East Africa and the Persian Gulf to China, Taiwan and Australia. It grows to about 15 cm. Males have a green head and upper body with a white belly and brown flank bars; females are dark greenish-brown with white spots along the flank. It lives on shallow, weedy rocky shores with little coral to about 10 metres depth and feeds on small bottom animals. Like many wrasses the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bubblefin wrasse?

The Bubblefin wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Bubblefin wrasse live?

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

How big does the Bubblefin wrasse get?

The Bubblefin wrasse grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Bubblefin wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Bubblefin wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Bubblefin wrasse edible?

The Bubblefin wrasse is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bellenvinlipvis verified
English name
Bubblefin wrasse verified
Scientific name
Halichoeres nigrescens
Family
Labridae
Other names
Bubblefin wrasse; Diamond wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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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