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Richmond's wrasse (Halichoeres richmondi) — Labridae

Richmond's wrasse

Halichoeres richmondi
Family: Labridae

The Richmond's wrasse (Halichoeres richmondi) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Micronesia and others

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Description

The Richmond's wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 19 cm. A green chain-like line pattern runs along the flank. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches sand and reef bottoms for small invertebrates; when threatened or at night it dives into the sand. It changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Richmond's wrasse?

The Richmond's wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Richmond's wrasse live?

The Richmond's wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Micronesia and others

How big does the Richmond's wrasse get?

The Richmond's wrasse grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Richmond's wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Richmond'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.

More photos

Richmond's wrasse (Halichoeres richmondi) — Labridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Richmond's wrasse (Halichoeres richmondi) — Labridae — 3
cello caruso-turiello (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Richmond's wrasse (Halichoeres richmondi) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jens Sommer-Knudsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Richmond's wrasse (Halichoeres richmondi) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Richmond's wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres richmondi
Family
Labridae
Other names
Chain-lined wrasse; Richmond's wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Micronesia and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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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