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Japanese wrasse (Pseudolabrus japonicus) — Labridae

Japanese wrasse

Pseudolabrus japonicus
Family: Labridae

The Japanese wrasse (Pseudolabrus japonicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Japanese wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the northwestern Pacific. The species has an elongate, red-brown body with pale spots and streaks. It lives on rocky and mixed bottoms of coastal waters and retires under low rock ledges at night. With its jaws it seeks small bottom animals such as crustaceans, molluscs and worms. Like many wrasses it is protogynous: females can change into males. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Japanese wrasse?

The Japanese wrasse has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Japanese wrasse live?

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

How big does the Japanese wrasse get?

The Japanese wrasse grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Japanese wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Japanese wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Japanese wrasse edible?

Yes, the Japanese wrasse is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Japanse lipvis sourced
English name
Japanese wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudolabrus japonicus
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Pseudolabrus

More from the family Labridae

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