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Slender wrasse (Suezichthys gracilis) — Labridae

Slender wrasse

Suezichthys gracilis
Family: Labridae

The Slender wrasse (Suezichthys gracilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North) and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The slender wrasse is a small wrasse (Labridae) from coastal waters of the western Pacific, around Japan and Australia. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a slender, elongate, reddish to silvery body with fine longitudinal markings. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims over sand and rubble bottoms near reefs and picks small invertebrates from the sediment. Like many wrasses it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender wrasse?

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

Where does the Slender wrasse live?

The Slender wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North) and others

How big does the Slender wrasse get?

The Slender wrasse grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Slender wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender 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.

Is the Slender wrasse edible?

Yes, the Slender wrasse is commonly eaten.

More photos

Slender wrasse (Suezichthys gracilis) — Labridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — User:Izuzuki (CC BY 4.0)
Slender wrasse (Suezichthys gracilis) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Yue Wah Chan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender wrasse (Suezichthys gracilis) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Slender wrasse (Suezichthys gracilis) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Aiden Chong, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Slender wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Suezichthys gracilis
Family
Labridae
Other names
Japanese slender-wrasse; Slender rainbow wrasse; Slender wrasse; Slender Wrasse; Gracilis wrasse; Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North) 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Suezichthys

Butcher's dick (Suezichthys aylingi) — Labridae
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