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Pelicier's wrasse (Halichoeres pelicieri) — Labridae

Pelicier's wrasse

Halichoeres pelicieri
Family: Labridae

The Pelicier's wrasse (Halichoeres pelicieri) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mauritius, South Africa

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Description

The Pelicier's wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the western Indian Ocean around Mauritius. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, green-pink with blue tints 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 Pelicier's wrasse?

The Pelicier's wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Pelicier's wrasse live?

The Pelicier's wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mauritius, South Africa

How big does the Pelicier's wrasse get?

The Pelicier's wrasse grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Pelicier's wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Pelicier's 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
Pelicier's wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres pelicieri
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mauritius, South Africa sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
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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