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Senator wrasse (Pictilabrus laticlavius) — Labridae

Senator wrasse

Pictilabrus laticlavius
Family: Labridae

The Senator wrasse (Pictilabrus laticlavius) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The senator wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 23 cm and has an elongate body that differs in colour: females green-brown with pale longitudinal lines, dominant males brighter green with red and blue accents. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives among weed and seagrass of rocky reefs and snaps at small invertebrates. Like many wrasses it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Senator wrasse?

The Senator wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Senator wrasse live?

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

How big does the Senator wrasse get?

The Senator wrasse grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Senator wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Senator 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

Senator wrasse (Pictilabrus laticlavius) — Labridae — 2
rhimcdonnell (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Senator wrasse (Pictilabrus laticlavius) — Labridae — 3
rhimcdonnell (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Senator wrasse (Pictilabrus laticlavius) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Senator wrasse (Pictilabrus laticlavius) — Labridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Julian Finn (CC BY 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Senator wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pictilabrus laticlavius
Family
Labridae
Other names
Purple-banded wrasse; Senator fish; Senator wrasse; Patrician wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 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
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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 sourced
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 Pictilabrus

More from the family Labridae

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