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Pale wrasse (Halichoeres pallidus) — Labridae

Pale wrasse

Halichoeres pallidus
Family: Labridae

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

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–74.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Kiribati, Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau, Philippines, Timor-Leste

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Description

The Pale wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from shallow reef and sand water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, pale green-white with fine lines 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 Pale wrasse?

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

Where does the Pale wrasse live?

The Pale wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Kiribati, Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau, Philippines, Timor-Leste

How big does the Pale wrasse get?

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

Is the Pale wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Pale wrasse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Pale wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres pallidus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Pale wrasse; Babi 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)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
74.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Kiribati, Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau, Philippines, Timor-Leste sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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