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Pinstriped wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) — Labridae

Pinstriped wrasse

Pseudocheilinops ataenia
Family: Labridae

The Pinstriped wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

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Description

The Pinstriped wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm and has an elongate, orange-red with fine blue longitudinal lines body that changes colour with age and sex. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims above coral and rock and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and zooplankton. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pinstriped wrasse?

The Pinstriped wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Pinstriped wrasse live?

The Pinstriped wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

How big does the Pinstriped wrasse get?

The Pinstriped wrasse grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Pinstriped wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Pinstriped 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.

More photos

Pinstriped wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pinstriped wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pinstriped wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) — Labridae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Pinstriped wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia) — Labridae — 5
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pinstriped wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudocheilinops ataenia
Family
Labridae
Other names
Pelvic-spot wrasse; Pink-streaked wrasse; Midget wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines 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

More from the family Labridae

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