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Soela wrasse (Suezichthys soelae) — Labridae

Soela wrasse

Suezichthys soelae
Family: Labridae

The Soela wrasse (Suezichthys soelae) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
32.0–75.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Japan, Ogasawara Is.

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Description

The Soela wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from shallow coral-reef and rocky water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, elongate, brightly coloured body with a pointed head. As an active daytime hunter it swims just above the reef and snaps at small crustaceans, snails and worms. It often starts as a female and can later change into a male. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Soela wrasse?

The Soela wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Soela wrasse live?

The Soela wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Japan, Ogasawara Is.

How big does the Soela wrasse get?

The Soela wrasse grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Soela wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Soela 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Soela wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Suezichthys soelae
Family
Labridae
Other names
Soela wrasse; Soela trawl-wrasse verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
32.0 verified
Max depth (m)
75.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Japan, Ogasawara Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
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
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 Suezichthys

More from the family Labridae

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