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Smalltail wrasse (Pseudojuloides elongatus) — Labridae

Smalltail wrasse

Pseudojuloides elongatus
Family: Labridae

The Smalltail wrasse (Pseudojuloides elongatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Smalltail wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm and has an elongate, greenish body. Males are green with blue and yellow longitudinal lines, females redder-brown. As a bottom-oriented reef fish it picks small invertebrates from reef and sediment. Like many wrasses it changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smalltail wrasse?

The Smalltail wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Smalltail wrasse live?

The Smalltail wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I. and others

How big does the Smalltail wrasse get?

The Smalltail wrasse grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Smalltail wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Smalltail 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 Smalltail wrasse edible?

Yes, the Smalltail wrasse is commonly eaten.

More photos

Smalltail wrasse (Pseudojuloides elongatus) — Labridae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Smalltail wrasse (Pseudojuloides elongatus) — Labridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/record/am_naturalsciences-object-709303 (CC BY 4.0)
Smalltail wrasse (Pseudojuloides elongatus) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Smalltail wrasse (Pseudojuloides elongatus) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) David Harasti, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Smalltail wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudojuloides elongatus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Green wrasse; Long green wrasse; Elongate wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I. 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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Pseudojuloides

Severns' pencil wrasse (Pseudojuloides severnsi) — Labridae
Severns' pencil wrasse
Pseudojuloides severnsi
Labridae

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