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Painted wrasse (Halichoeres pictus) — Labridae

Painted wrasse

Halichoeres pictus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The rainbow wrasse is a slender wrasse (Labridae) from the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. The species has an elongate body with handsome colour patterns that change with life stage, from greenish with stripes to more brightly coloured. It inhabits coral reefs and usually swims high above the bottom with conspicuous, worm-like movements. It feeds on various small invertebrates. Like many wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Painted wrasse?

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

Where does the Painted wrasse live?

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

How big does the Painted wrasse get?

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

Is the Painted wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Painted wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Painted wrasse edible?

The Painted wrasse is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geschilderde lipvis sourced
English name
Painted wrasse verified
Scientific name
Halichoeres pictus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Painted wrasse; Rainbow Wrasse; Rainbow wrasse verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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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