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Multicolorfin rainbowfish (Parajulis poecilepterus) — Labridae

Multicolorfin rainbowfish

Parajulis poecilepterus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Multicolorfin rainbowfish (Parajulis poecilepterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
34 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The multicolorfin rainbowfish is a brightly coloured wrasse (Labridae) from the northwestern Pacific, around Japan, Korea and China. The species reaches about 34 cm and has a streamlined body with a striking pattern of green, red and blue tones and lateral stripes; males and females differ in colour. It lives near shore over pebble, rock and coral bottoms and feeds on small bottom invertebrates. Like many wrasses the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, beginning life as a female and later able to change into a male. The fish is eaten locally.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Multicolorfin rainbowfish?

The Multicolorfin rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Multicolorfin rainbowfish live?

The Multicolorfin rainbowfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Multicolorfin rainbowfish get?

The Multicolorfin rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 34 cm. On average the species is around 22 cm.

Is the Multicolorfin rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Multicolorfin rainbowfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Multicolorfin rainbowfish edible?

Yes, the Multicolorfin rainbowfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Regenboog-lipvis sourced
English name
Multicolorfin rainbowfish verified
Scientific name
Parajulis poecilepterus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Peacock Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34.0 verified
Average length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Labridae

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