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Redhead wrasse (Halichoeres rubricephalus) — Labridae

Redhead wrasse

Halichoeres rubricephalus
Family: Labridae

The Redhead wrasse (Halichoeres rubricephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Redhead wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, green with a bright-red head body that changes colour with age and sex. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims above coral, rock and sand and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms; at night it buries in the sand. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redhead wrasse?

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

Where does the Redhead wrasse live?

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

How big does the Redhead wrasse get?

The Redhead wrasse grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Redhead wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Redhead wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodkop-lipvis sourced
English name
Redhead wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres rubricephalus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Red-head wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
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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