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Pyjama (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) — Labridae

Pyjama

Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Pyjama (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sixline wrasse is a small, colourful wrasse of the family Labridae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a purplish body with six orange longitudinal stripes and a greenish tail base with an eyespot. It lives on seaward reefs among coral branches and in dense coral fields to about 20 metres, usually in small, loose groups. It is a shy fish that quickly seeks shelter among coral. It feeds on small invertebrates and crustaceans. Like many wrasses it changes sex during life, from female to male. It is popular in the marine aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pyjama?

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

Where does the Pyjama live?

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

How big does the Pyjama get?

The Pyjama grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Pyjama dangerous to humans?

No, the Pyjama is harmless to humans.

Is the Pyjama edible?

The Pyjama is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zesstreep-lipvis sourced
English name
Pyjama verified
Scientific name
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Family
Labridae
Other names
Pyjama; Sixline wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
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
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudocheilinus

More from the family Labridae

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