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Southern ribbon wrasse (Stethojulis notialis) — Labridae

Southern ribbon wrasse

Stethojulis notialis
Family: Labridae

The Southern ribbon wrasse (Stethojulis notialis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk I., Tonga

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Description

The southern ribbon wrasse is a small wrasse (Labridae) from coastal waters of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm; females and juveniles are greenish with fine dotted lines, while dominant males develop bright blue and orange longitudinal lines. As a reef-dweller it swims actively by day over shallow reef and sand bottoms and picks small invertebrates; at night it buries itself. It changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Southern ribbon wrasse?

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

Where does the Southern ribbon wrasse live?

The Southern ribbon wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk I., Tonga

How big does the Southern ribbon wrasse get?

The Southern ribbon wrasse grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Southern ribbon wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Southern ribbon 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
Southern ribbon wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Stethojulis notialis
Family
Labridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk I., Tonga 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
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 Stethojulis

More from the family Labridae

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