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Chilean wrasse (Pseudolabrus gayi) — Labridae

Chilean wrasse

Pseudolabrus gayi
Family: Labridae

The Chilean wrasse (Pseudolabrus gayi) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Chilean wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from coastal waters of southern South America, off Chile. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, red-brown body with fine pale spots and lines. As a reef-dweller it swims by day over rocky reefs and in kelp and picks small invertebrates from the bottom. Like many wrasses it can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chilean wrasse?

The Chilean wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Chilean wrasse live?

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

How big does the Chilean wrasse get?

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

Is the Chilean wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Chilean wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Chileense lipvis sourced
English name
Chilean wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudolabrus gayi
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudolabrus

More from the family Labridae

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